Aim:
To compare structural changes in the kidneys of experimental rats 1 and 3 hours after exposure to the Leiurus macroctenus scorpion venom.

Material and methods:
The venom of scorpions from the Buthidae family, genus Leiurus, species Leiurus macroctenus, was administered to rats . The study utilised 20 white male laboratory rats. The selected rats were divided into two groups: control group – 10 rats, to which no venom was administered, and biological material was collected 1 and 3 hours after the administration of saline solution; experimental group – 10 rats, from which histological material was collected 1 and 3 hours after the administration of the scorpion venom. For microscopic examination, kidney samples from all groups were taken.

Results:
One hour after the administration of Leiurus macroctenus scorpion venom to rats, significant hemodynamic disorders and the onset of inflammatory processes in the organ were noted. Disruptions in the cytoskeleton of podocytes and the tubular apparatus of nephrons, along with manifestations of desquamation, hydropic, and hyaline-droplet dystrophies of the tubular epithelium, were established. The introduction of Leiurus macroctenus scorpion venom to rats was accompanied by markedly pronounced dystrophic changes in the structural components of the kidneys three hours after the beginning of the experimental study, in contrast to the earlier time point of the study. The development of tubular necrosis characterised the renal tubular apparatus.

Conclusions:
More pronounced histological changes in the structural organisation of rat kidneys were found 3 hours after exposure to Leiurus macroctenus scorpion venom than after 1 hour of study.