The morphological state of the lungs of rats exposed to Vipera berus nikolskii venom

Background. Lung tissue damage is a multietiological phenomenon characterised by various structural and functional changes. Their pathogenesis is based on free radical and inflammatory processes, and the main participants are resident and migrating macrophages and neutrophils. There is a whole series of pathological conditions accompanied by respiratory complications, the ways of development of which are not sufficiently studied. Therefore, the study of this issue is timely and relevant in today's conditions. Objective. Detection at the light-optical level of the manifestations of damage to the lungs of rats under the influence of viper venom of the species Vipera berus nikolskii. Methods. To study changes in the microstructure of the structural elements of the lungs, determination of changes in the expression of markers reflecting organ damage, and assessment of the dependence of changes between structural components, we conducted histological, histochemical and morphometric studies of rat lungs. Results and conclusion. Under the conditions of action of Vipera berus nikolskii venom on the lungs of laboratory animals, big destructive-degenerative changes in blood vessels, bronchi, and the respiratory department were established with the development of DIC-syndrome of significant areas of inflammation, various forms of coagulopathy, and diffuse and local haemorrhages. Histologically and morphometrically, larger areas of dys- and atelectasis, zones of emphysematous expansion, zones of inflammation, and foamy macrophages were established in the respiratory department of the lungs compared to the lungs of animals bitten by Vipera berus berus.