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| Source: wellesley |
Scientists at the Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil, have recently discovered a protein found in the venom of the Urutus snake that may aid in healing and regenerating damaged tissues in heart patients. It also shows potential for cancer treatment.
Professor Heloisa Sobreiro Selistre de Araujo from the Department of Functional Sciences at the Federal University of São Carlos stated that the protein ALT-C in the snake venom can promote or inhibit the formation of new blood vessels.
At low levels, ALT-C can stimulate the formation of new blood vessels. This suggests that this protein could serve as a foundation for developing new medications to treat conditions caused by improper blood vessel distribution, such as heart disease, injuries related to diabetes, and even erectile dysfunction.
Conversely, at high levels, this protein has the opposite effect, inhibiting the formation of new blood vessels, making it a potential solution in cancer treatment.
These effects have been successfully tested in mice. Professor Araujo mentioned that his team will focus on researching the tissue regeneration capabilities of this protein, and preliminary studies show promising results.
T.VY
