SOME CREEPY ANIMALS
MAY SAVE LIVES
G'day folks,
Wasps,
spiders, and cockroaches may be creepy, but all 3 may soon be able to
revolutionize medical research. Let’s all admit it, the majority of
people have a difficult relationship with most arthropods.
One of the
most common phobias in the world is arachnophobia, the fear of spiders
(and other arachnids such as scorpions), so that relationship has gone
downhill before it had a chance to start. The story with insects is very
similar: we consider a lot of them to be pests, and the rest are just
some strange alien creatures that just happen to live on the same planet
with us. Little did we know that these creepy-crawlies may hold the key
to the medical research of the future.
SPIDERS
Although arachnid research in
the field of medicine is still in the developing stages, scientists
managed to isolate two main resources (spider venom and spider silk)
that could potentially transform the way we treat certain conditions.
Spider venom, in particular, has
been tested as an experimental treatment of pain caused by IBS
(irritable bowel syndrome), as well as a substance that could
potentially treat epileptic seizures.
More specifically, an Australian research team has managed to isolate a protein from the venom of a species of tarantula, Heteroscodra maculata,
that can block the pain signals from the intestines to the central
nervous system. The researchers then developed a treatment that was
shown to inhibit IBS-related pain, at least in animal
models. A different Australian research group looked at how a peptide
isolated from spider venom can potentially help treat seizures in Dravet’s syndrome, a severe type of epilepsy characterized by an extreme sensitivity to high temperatures.
Spider silk is
the strongest biological material on the planet, not to mention it’s
very flexible and light, no wonder researchers are looking at its
potential to be used in sutures and bandages, as well as medical devices
and prosthetics. A research team based at the University of
Massachusetts Lowell promises to come up with a new generation of spider
silk-based materials that may soon transform not only medical supplies
but also protective and sports equipment.
COCKROACHES
Cockroaches
may be a pest in your mind, which they definitely are, but medical
science found a use even for these creepy creatures. Some researchers
plan on using them as a cheaper alternative to common lab animals, like
mice, in some experiments, whereas others claim the cockroach brain may
hold the secret to treatment for antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
In
fact, in China, there are entire cockroach-breeding farms, as ground-up
cockroaches are believed to treat gastrointestinal problems. Also, a
research team in the UK found that the brains of cockroaches and locusts
contain at least 9 different compounds that could potentially kill
drug-resistant bacteria.
The researchers hope one of these
compounds may be the key to a cure for infections caused by such
increasingly-resistant bacteria, like Escherichia coli and MRSA.
WASPS
A
fear of wasps is completely warranted, as their stings can be not only
spontaneous and extremely painful, but also commonly cause allergic
reactions. But, as it often happens in medicine, toxic substances may
hide a secret medical use that may save lives in the future.
In
the case of wasp and hornet venom, there are at least 2 different
compounds that may open the door to medical innovation. The most-studied
compound is mastoparan, a peptide that can be found in
the venom of different species of wasps and hornets.
Mastoparan has
been found to have antimicrobial, antibiotic and even anti-cancer
properties, but there is a catch.
It
turns out that, while mastoparan does kill the harmful bugs and makes
certain tumors vanish, it is toxic to the healthy cells as well, so the
next hurdle in clinical research is a more targeted treatment. Finally, a
different type of peptides (ampulexins) from the venom
of emerald jewel wasps, on the other hand, are currently reviewed as a
potential treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
As
you can tell, the majority of these research projects are a work in
progress, but it’s fun to entertain the idea of these arthropods saving
human lives nevertheless. It would be an unexpected turn of events to
find yourself in a situation where you owe your health to a creature you
despise, wouldn’t it?
Clancy's comment: I'm not surprised at all. Who cares where we find things to repair humans?
I'm ...
