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Source- This post on the Tinzaparin has been created based on the article “Drug used to treat clots can protect against cobra venom damage” published in “The Hindu” on 26 July 2024.
Why in the news?
Researchers have discovered that tinzaparin significantly reduces damage to human cells caused by spitting cobra venom.
About Tinzaparin
i) Tinzaparin is a drug used to treat serious blood clots and can reduce cell damage caused by spitting cobra venom.
ii) It is a low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) with antithrombotic properties.
iii) It is used for treating deep venous thrombosis, a condition where harmful blood clots form in the blood vessels of the legs.
Highlights of the Research
i) Tinzaparin blocks the interaction between the venom and its receptor in the cell by binding to venom molecules.
ii) The toxicity of snake venom depends on the biological pathway that synthesizes heparan sulfate. Artificially stopping this pathway can reduce the venom’s toxic effects.
iii) Introducing molecules that closely resemble heparan sulfate can trick the body into shutting down the pathways responsible for its synthesis. Tinzaparin is one such molecule.
iv) When tinzaparin was introduced immediately after exposing cells to the snake venom, the cells survived.
About Heparan Sulfate
1. Heparan sulfate is found on the surface of human and animal cells.
2. It is released from cells when the immune system responds to a threat.
UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology
