Nephrotoxicity of notexin in experimental mice.

Notexin, a well known neurotoxin, derived from tiger snake venom, was shown to have direct nephrotoxic properties in experimental mice. A single subcutaneous dose of 1.38 micrograms/kg body weight of notexin produced renal tubular and glomerular damage within 24 hours. Renal damage increased in severity proportional to the dose of notexin injected. At a high dose of notexin, thrombotic "spherules" were found in glomeruli. These thrombotic spherules have not been previously reported to be associated with notexin or snake venoms.