Time‐course of lipid peroxidation in different organs of mice treated with Echis pyramidum snake venom

This study examined the effect of Echis pyramidum ( EP ) venom on time‐course of lipid peroxidation in different vital organs of mice. Adult male Swiss albino mice were injected with EP venom (2 mg/kg, i.p.); control mice received vehicle alone (normal saline). Mice were killed at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h postenvenomation. The liver, lung, kidney, heart, and brain (cerebrum and cerebellum) were collected for the estimation of malondialdehyde (MDA), an index of lipid peroxidation. The results of this study showed that a single injection of EP venom caused a significant lipid peroxidation in all the organs studied. The onset of lipid peroxidation was as early as 1 h and persisted for several hours, suggesting an important role of oxidative stress in the cytotoxicity of EP venom. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 20:93–95, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20121