麻豆淫院

Scientists from Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University have found out that polysaccharides from microalgae bind proteins that are contained in the poison of lancehead snakes. When these proteins get into the human organism, they cause severe bleeding, renal and cardiac insufficiency, tissue death and even death.

Experiments have shown that the most effective are polysaccharides from algae Scenedesmus obliquus and Nannochloris sp., which almost completely suppress the activity of key components of poison. This discovery will be useful for elaboration of new drugs for neutralization of snake poisons, especially in regions where it is difficult to find medical aid. Results of the research are in Scientific Reports.

Every year, the bites of poisonous snakes kill tens of thousands of people. The majority of fatal cases occur in tropical and subtropical countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania; for example, in Latin America, live lancehead snakes (Bothrops), relatives of asps. Their poison contains proteins that destroy blood clotting ability and lead to tissue death, thus creating a lethal risk for humans.

Existing antidotes are expensive, not always available and can also cause side effects鈥攔ash, weakness, fever and allergic reactions. This is why scientists look for natural alternatives to drugs.

Researchers from Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University (Kaliningrad), together with colleagues from Fluminense Federal University (Brazil) and Kemerovo State University (Kemerovo), tested polysaccharides synthesized by the microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana, Scenedesmus obliquus, Nannochloris sp. and Scenedesmus acuminatus, to determine whether they could suppress the activity of toxins in poisons. Scientists chose these microalgae because they can synthesize various substances with therapeutic properties.

Biologists grew microalgae in laboratory conditions. After that, they treated their cells with alcohols that deposited polysaccharides and helped to separate them from other cells' components. Then the authors tested the ability of obtained compounds to suppress the activity of toxins in poisons of the snakes Bothrops jararaca, Bothrops jararacussu and Bothrops neuwiedi.

To achieve this aim, they combined samples of poisons with polysaccharides from microalgae and let them sit for five minutes. Then they measured the polysaccharides' ability to destroy proteins and lipids, and also to disrupt blood clotting ability.

Polysaccharides from microalgae Scenedesmus obliquus and Nannochloris sp. turned out to be the most effective ones. They almost completely suppressed the activity of key components of lancehead snake's poison. Moreover, polysaccharides from these algae prevented disruption of blood clotting ability caused by poison, and decreased the activity of phospholipase A, a substance that destroys lipids and thus damages cell membranes.

"Our research has shown that substances synthesized by microalgae can potentially be used for neutralization of snake poisons. Suggested compounds not only effectively suppress the activity of key toxins in poisons, but are available for production. That is especially important for regions with heavy mortality from snake bites.

"In the future, we have to study the mechanisms of action of polysaccharides from microalgae and to choose optimal doses of them," says Stanislav Sukhikh, Doctor of Engineering, Professor of The Higher School of Living Systems, Head of the Laboratory of microclonal reproduction of Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University.