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Researchers have discovered that heparin, a common blood thinner, can be repurposed as an inexpensive antidote for cobra venom, potentially reducing severe injuries caused by necrosis from cobra bites.
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Current antivenom treatments for cobra bites are expensive and not effective in treating tissue necrosis at the bite site.
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The study used CRISPR gene-editing technology to identify human genes targeted by cobra venom, leading to the repurposing of heparin and related drugs to counteract venom-induced necrosis.
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Heparin acts as a ‘decoy’ antidote by binding to and neutralizing toxins in the venom that cause tissue damage, offering a cheaper, safer, and more effective treatment option.
- The World Health Organization has prioritized snakebite as a neglected tropical disease, with a goal to reduce the global burden by 2030, making the new cobra antidote a potential aid in reducing snakebite-related deaths and injuries in vulnerable communities.
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Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, Pharmacists