Spiders and Erectile Dysfunction
Episode 6 - by Sarah Chow (click here to directly access the MP3)
The world’s most venomous spider, the Brazilian Wandering Spider, doesn’t just kill its victims, it also causes priapism, a painful erection! Find out how doctors are now looking at this compound as a cure for erectile dysfunction!
More information about the discovery of PnTx2-6, the spider venom compound responsible for erections:
Nunes KP. et al. Nitric oxide-induced vasorelaxation in response to PnTx2-6 toxin from Phoneutria nigriventer spider in rat cavernosal tissue. J Sex Med. 2010 Dec;7(12):3879-88. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01978.x.
Nunes KP et al. Increased cavernosal relaxation by Phoneutria nigriventer toxin, PnTx2-6, via activation at NO/cGMP signaling. International journal of impotence research. 2011 Oct 6. doi: 10.1038/ijir.2011.47.
Dr. R. Clinton Webb’s research focused on penile erections as well as the physiology of blood vessels.
Sarah Chow is a PhD student at the University of British Columbia, conducting research focused on the Pacemaker channel in the heart. When not in the lab, she brings the fun into science by tweeting about strange scientific discoveries such as geeps and fainting goats. You can find her on twitter@sswchow.
