<p>A group of Australia-based scientists are looking to venom from a deadly native spider to actually save lives, by halting the harmful effects of heart attacks.</p>.<p>Researchers used venom from a type of funnel-web spider -- among the world's deadliest species -- in a drug they hope can soon be taken to human trials.</p>.<p>So far the experimental medicine has only been lab-tested.</p>.<p>University of Queensland scientist Nathan Palpant said Friday the venom helped stop the body sending a "death signal" after a heart attack, which causes cells to die.</p>.<p>"After a heart attack, blood flow to the heart is reduced, resulting in a lack of oxygen to heart muscle," Palpant said.</p>.<p>"The lack of oxygen causes the cell environment to become acidic, which combine to send a message for heart cells to die.</p>.<p>"Despite decades of research, no one has been able to develop a drug that stops this death signal in heart cells, which is one of the reasons why heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the world."</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/world-snake-day-identifying-the-big-four-1009241.html" target="_blank">World Snake Day: Identifying the 'Big Four'</a></strong></p>.<p>The team has successfully used a protein from spider venom on beating human heart cells that were exposed to heart-attack stresses.</p>.<p>"The Hi1a protein from spider venom blocks acid-sensing ion channels in the heart, so the death message is blocked, cell death is reduced, and we see improved heart cell survival," Palpant said.</p>.<p>It is hoped the drug could help not only prevent heart damage and save lives, but improve the quality of donated hearts during transplants.</p>.<p>Previous research has indicated funnel-web spider venom may also be useful in curbing damage from strokes.</p>.<p>The University of Queensland said the team was aiming for human clinical trials for both stroke and heart disease "within two to three years".</p>.<p>The most recent research was published in the latest edition of the journal Circulation.</p>
<p>A group of Australia-based scientists are looking to venom from a deadly native spider to actually save lives, by halting the harmful effects of heart attacks.</p>.<p>Researchers used venom from a type of funnel-web spider -- among the world's deadliest species -- in a drug they hope can soon be taken to human trials.</p>.<p>So far the experimental medicine has only been lab-tested.</p>.<p>University of Queensland scientist Nathan Palpant said Friday the venom helped stop the body sending a "death signal" after a heart attack, which causes cells to die.</p>.<p>"After a heart attack, blood flow to the heart is reduced, resulting in a lack of oxygen to heart muscle," Palpant said.</p>.<p>"The lack of oxygen causes the cell environment to become acidic, which combine to send a message for heart cells to die.</p>.<p>"Despite decades of research, no one has been able to develop a drug that stops this death signal in heart cells, which is one of the reasons why heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the world."</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/world-snake-day-identifying-the-big-four-1009241.html" target="_blank">World Snake Day: Identifying the 'Big Four'</a></strong></p>.<p>The team has successfully used a protein from spider venom on beating human heart cells that were exposed to heart-attack stresses.</p>.<p>"The Hi1a protein from spider venom blocks acid-sensing ion channels in the heart, so the death message is blocked, cell death is reduced, and we see improved heart cell survival," Palpant said.</p>.<p>It is hoped the drug could help not only prevent heart damage and save lives, but improve the quality of donated hearts during transplants.</p>.<p>Previous research has indicated funnel-web spider venom may also be useful in curbing damage from strokes.</p>.<p>The University of Queensland said the team was aiming for human clinical trials for both stroke and heart disease "within two to three years".</p>.<p>The most recent research was published in the latest edition of the journal Circulation.</p>