FEATURES OF THE EFFECT OF SCORPION VENOM ON THE IMMUNE DEFENSE SYSTEM OF THE MAMMALIAN LIVER (REVIEW).

Introduction: Toxic liver damage due to exposure to poisons, including those of animal origin, is often associated with lymphocytic infiltration, and the nature and degree of inflammation determine the rate of progression and severity of damage. The mechanisms by which toxic compounds activate immune-mediated pathways of liver damage are still being actively studied, however, liver infiltration by effector lymphocytes is a common phenomenon, leading to the destruction of hepatocytes and cholangiocytes and a persistent shift in the structural and functional characteristics of the organ Aim of study: To determine the features of the effect of scorpion venom on the immune defense system of the mammalian liver.

Materials and methods: A thorough literature analysis was conducted on the basis of PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. When processing the search results, we chose the newest publications up to 5 years old or the most thorough publications that vividly described the essence of our topic.

Conclusion: Scorpion venom causes the development of local, cardiotoxic, neurotoxic effects and effects of autonomic nervous system. Depending on the predominance of a particular component in the venom, a wide range of clinical signs and symptoms can be observed from local reactions (hyperemia, pain, edema) to serious consequences, including respiratory, gastrointestinal, cardiac or neurological complications. The influence of toxic components on the structural and functional parameters of the mammalian liver is currently at the stage of comprehensive and thorough study. It has been established that under the conditions of administration of scorpion venom to experimental animals, hydropic degeneration and karyorrhexis of hepatocytes, fibrinoid necrosis, blood stasis in the vessels, an increase in the level of enzymes - ALT, AST, LDH were noted. At the same time, activation of the liver's immune defense mechanisms was observed. Cellular components in this case played an important role in activating inflammation and damaging the organ's structures.