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Blood Thinner could be used to treat cobra Venom
Context:
A recent study found that heparin, a common blood thinner, could serve as an effective antidote for cobra venom that significantly reduced both human cell damage and skin damage in mice caused by spitting cobra venom.
Blood Thinner to Antidote:
- Mechanism: The study identified that cobra venom targets genes responsible for producing heparan sulphate on cell surfaces. Heparin acts as a decoy, binding to and neutralising the venom toxins that cause tissue damage.
- Researchers have filed for a patent and may soon begin human clinical trials.
- Heparin can directly target infected tissue, potentially reducing tissue damage significantly. Tinzaparin protected cells exposed to venom, even when introduced an hour after exposure. It works by blocking venom-receptor interactions.
- It could offer a practical solution for high snakebite morbidity areas.
- Future Applications: The research team previously used a similar approach to find an antidote for box jellyfish venom and is now exploring treatments for other venoms, including Australian black snakes and blue bottle stings.
Bad deal on Antivenoms:
- The World Health Organization aims to halve the number of deaths and disabilities due to snakebites by 2030.
- About 140,000 deaths occur annually from venomous snakebites, especially in tropical Africa and Asia. Cobra species are a major concern.
- Current treatments are outdated, relying on methods from the late 1800s.
- Traditional antivenoms are administered via intravenous drip and are ineffective in treating necrosis, leading to potential limb loss.
- They are also costly and can be delayed in reaching patients.
- Antivenom is made by injecting animals with snake venom to produce antibodies, which are then extracted and transported, facing challenges in production, storage, and cost.
Snake Venom:
- Snake venom is a complex mixture of enzymes, proteins, amines, lipids, nucleosides, and carbohydrates, along with metal ions like sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc.
- It contains toxins such as neurotoxins, hemotoxins, cardiotoxins, cytotoxins, and mycotoxins, which can have various physiological effects on cells and tissues.
How Venom Kill Cells?
- The venom of the red and black-necked spitting cobras is not well understood.
- The lack of understanding of how these venoms affect human cells hampers progress in antivenom development.
- Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 to create human cells with a single gene removed, which were less affected by the venom.
- The absence of this gene, which produces a specific protein, suggested that these genes are involved in how the venom damages cells.
- Many of these genes are related to synthesising heparan sulphate, a compound that regulates blood vessels and clot formation.
About Red-Spitting Cobra:
- It is Orange-red in colour, native to Tanzania, and approximately 1.2 metres long.
- Defensive Display: Raises its hood and hisses loudly when threatened.
- Venomous Attack: Uses venom as a primary weapon, releasing jets onto the eyes, nose, and mouth of the threat.
- Biting Mechanism: After the venom spray, it lunges forward to bite, injecting a large amount of venom into the victim.
- Effects of Venom: Attacks and damages body cells and the nervous system.
- Impact on Victims: Typically results in death for animals like toads, frogs, birds, and other snakes; humans may survive but often with permanent disability.
Biting Mechanism in Snakes
- Dental Structure: Snakes have fangs and regular teeth.
- Fangs: Specialised for venom injection, varying in size and shape by species.
- Venom Glands: Located behind the eyes, connected to hollow or grooved fangs.
- Venomous Snakes: Strike quickly, injecting venom to immobilise prey, sometimes combining venom with constriction.
- Warning and Defense: Snakes may bite to defend themselves; venomous bites can be lethal, while non-venomous bites are painful but not deadly.
- Snakes replace teeth regularly to ensure functional biting and venom delivery.
- Specialized Jaw and Skull Adaptations.
National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming in India:
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