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 | Effect of ricin on some biochemical haematological and histopathological variables in mice
Author : Om Kumar, K;Sugendran, K.;Pant, S. C.;Vijayaraghavan, R.
Source : Defence Science Journal ; Vol:54(4) ; 2004 ; pp 493-502
Subject : 57.089 Biomedical Sciences ;57 Biological Sciences ;61 Medical Sciences
Keywords : Ricin;Intraperitoneal route;Oral route;Toxicity;Leukocytosis;Median lethal concentration;Uric acid;Piloerection;Mice;Proteineous toxin
Abstract : Acute toxicity studies of ricin were carried out in Swiss albino male mice. The median lethal concentration (LD50) values were determined for mice through intraperitoneal and oral routes and were found to be 1.01 mg/kg and 28.29 mg/kg, respectively. The ricin (1.0 LD50) was administered in mice through intraperitoneal route and various toxicity related clinical variables were studied on the 1st, 3rd, and the 7th day of post-exposure. The prominent symptoms before death, were diarrhoea with black sticky vent and piloerection. The body weight decreased significantly in a dose-dependent manner. No significant change was observed in organ-to-body weight ratio on the 1st, 3rd, and the 7th day of post-exposure except kidney weight. On the 7th day, kidney weight increased significantly. The levels of blood urea, uric acid, and glucose increased, while total protein level decreased. However, activities of transaminase and phosphatases were not altered. Leukocytosis was also observed. The ricin also affected blood coagulation parameters. There was a significant increase in the clotting time. However, prothrombin time, bleeding time, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were not altered. Histopathological studies showed degenerative changes in various visceral organs, viz, lungs, liver, spleen, kidney, and testis. Acute toxicity studies of ricin revealed that it is a highly toxic toxin. The ricin intoxication caused alterations in biochemical, haematological variables, and degenerative changes in various visceral organs. |
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