Abstract
The effect of an acute LD50 dose of Echis coloratus crude venom in male albino rats was tested on blood parameters: white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs), platelets count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), also serum glucose, total protein, triglycerides with alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) enzyme activities. The effect of the LD50 dose was monitored over a period of seven days, with time intervals of 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 72h. All of the tested parameters show fluctuations with time and with tendency to regain normal control level after 12h. At 12–24h it seems to be crucial for the process of physiological recovery, in spite of the irreversible damage and tissue distraction. The process of physiological adaptation and recovery from the lethal destructive venom effect seems to stabilize after one week, leaving the animal alive with several biochemical altered metabolisms and disturbed physiological profile.