Neat news - What snake venom does to human blood

[rebelrachel13]

Article from Huffington Post:

We all know snake venom is dangerous, but seeing the toxin in action is another matter. Now, thanks to YouTube user fragrancemad, the world can see just what happens to human blood in the process—and it's not pretty.

"I was doing some research for Cobra parfum by Jeannes Arthes and came across this video about snake venom by mistake - it's so incredible that I just had to upload it to YouTube," the user wrote in the video's info section.

"Basically, a single drop of this venom (from a Russell's viper) is dripped onto a petri dish of blood, and in seconds the blood clots into a thick chunk of solid matter."

Yikes!

Dr. Terence M. Davidson, M.D., of the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, explains on his website exactly what the venom from a Russell's Viper can do to a human.

"In Sri Lanka, Burma and India it is responsible for the majority of snakebite incidents. It is a very dangerous snake. Large members of some species can easily deliver a lethal dose in humans. Victims will usually complain of pain at the bite site, and swelling may be evident."
Besides bleeding disorders, he noted, symptoms can include acute kidney failure, swelling eyelids, difficulty speaking and general weakness.

It may sound scary, but snake venom can be very useful to humans. In a study published last year in the Journal Of Biological Chemistry researchers noted important medical uses of the sinister stuff.

"Snake venom contains a vast number of toxins that target proteins in platelets," Yonchol Shin, an associate professor at Kogakuin University who specializes in snake toxins told ScienceDaily. "Some of those toxins prevent platelets from clotting, which can lead to profuse bleeding in snake bite victims. Others, like the one we've focused this research on, potently activate platelets, which results in blood clots. Identification of the molecular targets of many of these toxins has made an enormous contribution to our understanding of platelet activation and related diseases."

Whew! Wouldn't want that stuff in my bloodstream.

[ Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1666611.html ]

[Mike41793]

THAT WAS AWESOME!

thanks for posting that rachel, that was really cool.

Did anyone else notice how alll the venomous snakes were just kept in pots covered with cloths...? I would not wanna be in that room for too long...

[WarriorPrincess90]

That was CRAZY! I was just like... I am 100% positive that I would not like to be bitten by a HOT. Lol.

And Mike, I noticed! The cloths were secured somehow, but still! No thanks! I'll stay far away from that room. O.o

[Trackstrong83]

Aww man looks like I have to get rid of my Russels viper
Lol justttt kidding. That was crazy though! It's crazy how different venoms do different things to your body. For example I believe eastern diamondback venom makes you twitch all over uncontrallably. That would be scary.

[spankege]

That is very interesting information. Thanks for posting!

[SlitherinSisters]

That room full of pots looks like a nightmare. I'm also wondering how they feed them! Definitely not a job I would be interested in!

This video was way cool, and way scary!!!!

[Mike41793]

I wonder if they could somehow control the venom to only spread so much to help coagulate blood from a wound. Like if someone had an accident and lost a few fingers EMT's could inject them with something to help coagulate the blood FAST, like in the video.

I realize that venom by itself would be a bad idea to do this with but i wonder if theres like a specific protein or something that could be isolated by scientists to use.

Im probably being rediculous here but i think itd be cooool!

[CatandDiallo]

My stomach isn't the strongest this afternoon, so... Blegh.

[Wapadi]

Mike, I immediately thought the same thing! How beneficial would an almost instant clotting protein be!!

[DooLittle]

I wonder if they could somehow control the venom to only spread so much to help coagulate blood from a wound. Like if someone had an accident and lost a few fingers EMT's could inject them with something to help coagulate the blood FAST, like in the video.

I realize that venom by itself would be a bad idea to do this with but i wonder if theres like a specific protein or something that could be isolated by scientists to use.

Im probably being rediculous here but i think itd be cooool!

I was thinking the same thing. That would be great if they could some how use it in medicine. Maybe something topical, to stop bleeding?

I also was wondering how they get them out of the pots..... No thanks. That's potent stuff.

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