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| Chinese red-headed centipede |
In a test done by Glenn King of the University of Queensland in St. Lucia, Australia, purified a molecule of 46 amino acids from the toxin, or venom of the Chinese red-headed centipede. When it was tested in rat neurons by IV, the peptide inhibited pain-associated sodium ion channel and had little effect on related channels.
Researchers then compared the molecule injected into mice that were exposed to noxious chemicals or heat and saw that the higher the does the less they felt pain and showed no obvious side effects. The researchers came to the conclusion that this molecule and maybe others from centipede toxins could provide powerful pain treatments for chronic pain. However it only mentioned the studying being done with Chinese red-headed centipedes, so it leaves me to wonder how other centipede venom would act. I thought this was a very interesting article, like I stated above though, I wonder if other centipede venom reacts the same way or if different centipede venom can help with things other than pain.
http://doi.org/n35
http://ezproxy.stockton.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.stockton.edu:2048/docview/17584456?accountid=29054
It's great to see Glenn King discover an important factor in the Chinese red-headed centipede that could attribute to many factors around the world. Millions of people suffer from chronic pain associated with a wide range of injury and disease, or it is sometimes the disease itself. With the help of this new information, we may see a difference in the costs of unrelieved pain with shorter hospital stays, decreased rates of re-hospitalization, decreased outpatient visits, and increased ability to function fully leading to more income.
ReplyDeleteThe amino acids that were extracted from the venom of the Chinese Red-headed Centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans), by the Australian researchers purified a molecule of 46 amino acids from the toxin venom, alleviated or decreased the systems of chronic pain with no side effects. Currently, patients are using drugs that have addictive qualities such as oxycodone and other controlled substances. These drugs have serious side effects and can become addictive. It is interesting to note that in ancient Chinese traditions, this particular species of giant centipedes that grows to an average of eight inches, only inhabitant damp, moist environments and have been known to increase the healing process of various skin conditions. This research has the potential of enormous significance for the future of pain management. My concern is that the pharmaceutical corporations may attempt to delay further studies due to the impact of the discovery on pain management and impact its multi-billion dollar industry.
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