Narthecium ossifragum(L.) Huds. Causes Kidney Damage in Goats: Morphologic and Functional Effects

Abstract

Abstract. We studied the effects of Narthecium ossifragum on goat kidneys. Twenty-five Norwegian dairy goats, 5 weeks to 4 months of age, were orally dosed with an aqueous extract from N. ossifragum. In experiment 1, we studied microscopic and functional changes in 12 animals that were euthanatized 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 days after treatment. In experiment 2, we included ultrastructural studies on serial renal biopsies and urine analysis from five extract-treated animals and two controls. In addition, urine samples were collected from four dosed and two control goats. Ultrasonography revealed perirenal and retroperitoneal fluids. Microscopic changes were observed after 6 hours. The findings, most obvious in the inner cortex and the outer medulla, consisted of cytoplasmic vacuolization, interstitial edema, and focal necrosis of tubular epithelial cells. Ultrastructurally, the tubules had loss of microvilli, irregular cytoplasmic vacuolization, mitochondrial swelling with loss of cristae, and irregular but continuous basement membranes even with necrosis. In the glomeruli, there were occasional endothelial damage and shortening and swelling of the foot processes. Peritubular capillaries had breaks in the vessel walls and irregular endothelial cell edema, and the interstitium had marked edema. The functional lesions included elevated serum urea, creatinine, and magnesium concentrations, a slight decrease in serum calcium concentration, elevated urine protein and urine protein-creatinine ratio, and increased activities of urine alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transferase. Our findings indicate a fast-acting toxic principle inducing damage by both direct toxic and secondary ischemic effects.

Perirenal Effusion in Dogs and Cats With Acute Renal Failure

“…This sonographic finding was identified in 14% of patients with renal dysfunction over a 1 year period. A similar sonographic finding of perirenal fluid in renal failure has been recognized in the goat in nephrotoxicity caused by Narthecium ossifragum , 11 a perennial herb of the lily family, and in ethylene glycol toxicity and leptospirosis in the dog but it has not been reported in more recently described nephrotoxicoses caused by several lily species in the cat 12 or raisins and grapes in the dog 13 or with other causes of acute renal failure. Herein we describe the sonographic features and underlying causes of perirenal effusion in dogs and cats with acute renal failure and discusses the potential pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for the accumulation of such effusions.…”

Nutritional Potential of Acacia (Acacia Nilotica (L.) Del.) Pods for Growing Red Sokoto Goats

“…While the low levels of PUN recorded in this experiment agrees with the finding of Reed et al, (1990) who reported that high levels of tannins in the diets affect the level of PUN in the blood negatively; the levels of Cr recorded in this experiment may be described as good, this agrees with the finding of Wisloff et al, (2003), they reported that high levels of Cr in the blood may be caused by poor filtration in the kidneys due to muscle catabolism when the kidneys are either weak or diseased.…”

Suspected bog asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum) toxicity in cattle in North Wales

“…Bog asphodel toxicity has been described in several countries in numerous ruminant species, including moose, cattle, red deer, sheep, goats and reindeer in Norway (Flåøyen and others 1995a, b, c, 1999, Vikøren and others 1999, Wilsløff and others 2003) and cattle in Ireland (Malone and others 1992). The active toxic component has been identified as 3-methoxy-2(5H)-furanone (Langseth and others 1999).…”