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    STUDIA BIOLOGIA - Issue no. 1 / 2004  
         
  Article:   ASPECTE HISTOLOGICE ŞI ULTRASTRUCTURALE ALE TIMUSULUI ÎN INTOXICAŢIA ACUTĂ CU VENIN DE ALBINE.

Authors:  ADRIAN FLOREA, CONSTANTIN CRĂCIUN, CONSTANTIN PUICĂ. 		 
       
         
  Abstract:  Histological and Ultrastructural Aspects of the Thymus in the Acute Intoxication with Honey Bee Venom. In this study the histological and ultrastructural modifications in the rat thymus were investigated after the experimental administration of very high doses of the bee venom water-soluble fraction. We have taken into account this organ since the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) venom is well known to be a powerful immuno-stimulating agent. First of all, a massive lymphocyte migration in the blood flow was recorded after two hours of the acute treatment. The presence of a high amount of exogenous, toxic substances, as well as the severe alterations occurred in the structure of the most organs and tissues are mainly responsible for this effect. On the other hand, we have also recorded ultrastructural alterations in all cell populations, many cells being totally destroyed; the number of apoptotic cells is increased and the number of mitotic cells is decreased. At the subcellular level, in most of the cells the nuclear envelope was deeply affected and vacuolisations of endoplasmic reticulum were observed. Mitochondria also respond strongly to the bee venom: they appeared to be swollen and with a rarefied matrix. These results indicate both a specific response of the thymus against the action of bee venom molecules, and a direct, unspecific effect of the venom upon all cell membranes leading to the death of many cells.  
         
     
         
         
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