A new study has found that the blood-thinning drug heparin could potentially prevent the need for amputations in snakebite victims. Researchers at the University of Sydney discovered that heparin, when administered after injecting mice with venom from two cobra species, reduced the risk of tissue death, a common complication that can lead to the loss of limbs.
Snakebites are a significant health concern, causing up to 138,000 deaths annually, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and South and South-East Asia. An additional 400,000 individuals suffer from complications such as tissue necrosis, which can result in the necessity of amputations.
The research focused on the venom of two cobra species, the red spitting cobra and the black-necked spitting cobra, both found in Africa. The venom targets a molecule called heparan sulfate, which lines the surface of cells at the bite site. Heparin, a substance produced by certain immune cells and commonly used as a blood thinner, was found to prevent the toxins from causing cell death when applied to human skin and blood cells exposed to the venom.
Experiments on mice showed promising results, with heparin significantly reducing tissue damage at the bite site. The researchers believe that this treatment could be effective for bites from various cobra species, although it may not work for non-cobra snakebites unless the toxins follow a similar chemical pathway to cell destruction.
One of the advantages of heparin is its stability at room temperature, making it more accessible for immediate treatment following a snakebite. The use of an auto-injector, similar to an EpiPen, could facilitate prompt administration of heparin in emergency situations.
While existing antivenoms are commonly used to treat snakebites, they may not prevent tissue necrosis. Heparin, on the other hand, showed promising results in preventing cell death at the bite site. However, some experts suggest that the effectiveness of heparin compared to antivenom needs further investigation, particularly in terms of delayed administration in remote locations.
Overall, the study highlights the potential of heparin as a treatment option for snakebite victims to reduce the risk of tissue damage and subsequent amputations. Further research and clinical trials are needed to validate these findings and explore the effectiveness of heparin in real-world snakebite scenarios.