Pythons' hearts may help human heart research

[wolfy-hound]

http://news.yahoo.com/pythons-big-he...191526959.html

Apparently the way that pythons(burmese in particular) hearts increase in size after eating a meal may help in research with human heart concerns. A burmese python's heart increases in size within 3 days after feeding in order to use the meal more efficiently. After the feeding period is over, the heart actually shrinks back to the "normal" size, without any apparent ill effects. Scientists are studying exactly what happens, why it happens and why it doesn't harm the pythons to have all of it happening. Now they are moving to use the research in mammals to see what effects this may have for those with heart issues, using mice with heart trouble.

It's exciting to see something as "alien" as a python used in research to see what sort of therapy may help humans. It's even more exciting to see so much success in applying the snake research conculsions to mammals in general.

*the summary was written by myself and as such, should not be considered to be 100% accurate nor factual. It is merely my opinion on the research as I understand it. Please read the article to reach your own conclusions

[Jessica Loesch]

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...hey-just-might...

[thedarkwolf25]

A co worker of mine showed this to me today (everyone at work knows I keep snakes) and it is a really interesting read.

[wolfy-hound]

Dang it, I searched for it too. Mods could delete this one.