Medical expert of the article
New publications
Found a non-standard medicine for the treatment of stroke
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Scientists have found that the poisonous secretions of one of the species of water spiders can minimize the severe consequences after a stroke.
Protein isolated from spider venom, can provide the human brain with protection against the damaging effect of stroke. Such information was shared by researchers from Australia, representing the universities of Queensland and Monash. Experts say that only one dosage of the Hi1a protein is sufficient to have a positive therapeutic effect on the experimental rodents.
Doctors predict that the results of the research are really encouraging, and after a while spider protein can be actively used in neurology. But now it's too early to talk about this, because experiments with the participation of people are only being planned.
To obtain a toxic material, scientists traveled to Fraser Island, which is located on the southern coast of Queensland. One of the study's leaders, Dr. Glenn King, says: "We often go to collect spiders in this region. Funnel-shaped spiders, the poison of which is considered deadly, dwell deep in the soil. They are difficult to extract from dense clay. However, it is on this island that the spiders that we need live in the sand, which greatly facilitates their capture. "
Initially, scientists planned to extract the poisonous secret of spiders to try to create a similar fluid by artificial means. They seized the poison of insects in the laboratory, examined their secreting organs, and only after that they began to analyze the composition of the poisonous liquid. After the introduction of the protein of the poison into the body of the experimental rodents, scientists found that in the rat brain there was a blockage of sensitive ion channels. Many post-stroke disorders cause a disruption of the function of ion channels - for example, in most cases, their excessive function is observed. Using spider venom will slow down the operation of these channels, which will protect the brain from further damage.
Dr. King argues that the protein found and its function "are reassuring in terms of possible applications for recovery of people after strokes." "We believe that many specialists have long been looking for a way to minimize brain damage that occurs after a blood circulation disorder in the brain."
It was found that the spider protein creates a certain effective protection of that part of the brain, which is the most experienced of oxygen starvation. Previously, it was believed that the damaged zone is almost impossible to regenerate, since vulnerable brain cells die too quickly.
The scientific team of staff representing the British Stroke Association also did not ignore this discovery. They noted that the information received is extremely important, but until the drug has not passed the test on a person, do not make loud statements.
The course and results of the study can be found in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
[