新型蛋白質混合物改良響尾蛇抗蛇毒血清
New Protein Blend Improves Rattlesnake Antivenom
Updated at: September 9, 2026 at 03:45 AM
蛇咬依舊是全球重大的衛生挑戰，但2026年7月的一項突破性進展為更有效的治療帶來了希望。
Snakebites remain a significant global health challenge, but a breakthrough in July 2026 offers hope for more effective treatments.
馬里蘭大學的研究人員發現，西部菱背響尾蛇演化出了針對自身毒液的自然防禦機制，具體而言是一組被稱為胎球蛋白-A (Fetuin-A, FETUAs) 的蛋白質。
Researchers at the University of Maryland discovered that western diamondback rattlesnakes have evolved natural defenses against their own venom, specifically a group of proteins known as Fetuin-A (FETUAs).
雖然單一蛋白質的保護作用有限，但研究團隊發現，這些蛋白質的特定組合能夠協同運作，以驚人的效率中和毒素。
While a single protein provides limited protection, the team found that specific combinations of these proteins work together to neutralize toxins with remarkable efficiency.
在實驗室測試中，這種蛋白質混合物的效力比傳統羊源抗蛇毒血清高出約10倍。
In laboratory tests, this protein blend proved to be approximately 10 times more potent than traditional sheep-derived antivenom.
特別令人興奮的是，這項發現具有廣泛的有效性；該混合物能抑制多種北美和亞洲蝮蛇的毒素。
What is particularly exciting is the broad effectiveness of this discovery; the mixture inhibited toxins from various North American and Asian pit vipers.
目前抗蛇毒血清的生產成本高昂、流程複雜，並且因為依賴對大型動物進行免疫，有時會引發過敏反應。
Current antivenom production is costly, complex, and sometimes triggers allergic reactions because it relies on immunizing large animals.
科學家們透過利用這種受自然啟發、實驗室合成的蛋白質方法，期望能夠開發出更安全、更實惠且易於大量生產的治療藥物。
By utilizing this nature-inspired, lab-made protein approach, scientists aim to create safer, more affordable, and easily mass-produced treatments.
雖然這項發表在《PNAS》上的研究尚處於早期階段，需要進一步的測試，但它為未來全球蛇傷患者能獲得更易取得且更可靠的蛇咬治療帶來了有希望的躍進。
Although the study, published in PNAS, is in its early stages and requires further testing, it represents a promising leap toward a future where snakebite treatment is more accessible and reliable for victims worldwide.
