Kidney Changes in Mice due to Oriental Hornet (Vespa orientalis) Venom: Histological and Electron Microscopical Study

Abstract
Administration to mice of Vespa orientalis venom was found to cause acute tubular necrosis of the kidney. The proximal tubular epithelial cells showed an abundance of autophagic vacuoles, suggesting disintegration of mitochondria. A few necrotic cells were found. The mechanism of the action of the venom on the kidney tubule cells is as yet unknown but there is evidence for direct effect of the venom on the mitochondria.