Following our class discussion on bee string therapy, I found a review article detailing the current findings on venom and possible therapeutic features across several species. Here's a brief overview:
Bee Venom
Key players: Apamin, adolapin, mast cell degranulating peptide
Pros: The proteins mentioned above have been found to have an inhibitory role in leukocyte migration as well as downregulation of TNF-a, tumor growth, and an upregulation in IL10. Overall, the components display anti-inflammatory effects that should be beneficial against Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Cons: Melittin and Phospholipase A2, proteins also found in bee venom, are believed to contribute to the irritation and hypersensitivity association with bee stings. Also, in Wesselius' study, there were no significant decrease in new-gadolinium enhancing lesions or other symptoms for MS patients. The therapy itself involved patients receiving up to 20 stings (ouch!) to the leg in one setting, its hard to imagine the pain and discomfort of the treatment outweighs the slight benefits.
Sea Anemone Venom
Key Player: ShK Toxin. The toxin gets its name from the species it is isolated from, stichodactyla helianthus, which is found off the coast of Cuba. The K comes from the fact that this toxin is a potassium channel inhibitor.
Pros: ShK blocks potassium channel Kv1.3, a voltage-gated K channel expressed in T cells. In blocking this channel, ShK reduces T cell activation, proliferation, and cytokine production and has been found to protect against T cell-mediated autoimmunity in animal models.
Cons: The author seemed rather positive about this form of treatment, looking for more research to understand side effects and long term consequences.
Scorpion Venom
Key players: Kaliotoxin, charybdotoxin, iberiotoxin.
Pros: Kaliotoxin has similar Kv1.3 channel blocking activity and was found in inhibit the delayed-type hypersensitivity respone towards myelin basic protein. Furthermore, charybdotoxin was found to share several immunosuppressive effects.
Cons: Kaliotoxin is also selective against the Kv1.1 channel expressed in the nodal regions of neurons, more research will need to conducted to identify potential neuroprotective or degenerative effects on this channel. Furthermore, the author mentioned more research is needed to understand the effect of altered potassium signalling and specificity on the microglial cells and astrocytes.
Snake Venom
Key players: Cobra venom factor, dendrotoxin-1, ancrod
Pros: Cobra venom factor has shown to mimic complement component C3b, which competes for endogenous C3 and reduces serum complement levels, greatly enhancing the symptoms of EAE in rat models. Dendrotoxin-1 is also a Kv1.3 channel as seen in sea anemones and scorpions and has similar effects. Finally, ancrod is a fibrinogen degrading protein that reduces the amount of ectopic fibrin deposits in brain lesions. Fibrin was also found to have a down-regulatory role on myelin regeneration, and thus the removal of fibrin from lesions is protective.
Cons: Trials have been very complex, utilizing different venomous proteins from different species of snakes and thus require more work before advancing into later trials of testing.
Bottom line: Evidence does support that several of these venomous proteins expressed by different species can play important roles in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. However, at this point in research most are being used in an animal EAE model and need more understanding before advancing to human MS trials. Furthermore, the author of this review does not mention administration methods during the discussion of therapeutic effects. The potency and dose-dependence in artificial administration will need to be considered.
Source:
Mirshafiey, Abbas. 2007. Venom therapy in multiple sclerosis. Neuropharmacology 53: 353-361
Real interesting! I always find "natural" therapy very interesting to hear about. It is interesting how sometimes this array of therapy is even more effective in the long run than ways synthesized in labs. It seems that they just need to find a way to deliver this venom so the patents don't need to get stung so many times!
ReplyDeleteI don't know about you, but I rather like my Kv channels. They are keeping me alive right now, and I wouldn't want to be blocking them! This type of research always surprises me for some reason. For now, I'm just going to keep on avoiding any type of venom.
ReplyDeleteI think that animal venom is a great area of research. If a substance like snake or insect venom can cause such horrific or deadly outcomes, then it must be analyzed. A substance that powerful, delivered in small quantities has enormous biological importance. It may seem counter intuitive to some, but research into these powerful chemicals could lead to promising treatments for ailments not previously thought of. Just look at the research on Gila Monster venom and the discovery that it is highly important for modulating their metabolic activity. Being that they gorge themselves and then don't eat for weeks or months at a time, the compounds contained within have sparked much research into their importance for diabetics.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting. I agree with travis in that its a great area for research. Im glad to see something up like this on the blog I had planned to research this topic after our discussion on ms to see what else bee sting therapy was used for :).
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