Can A Person Be A Smoker & Still Be Saved

[Rico]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

News and Views


Nature Medicine 7, 155 (2001)
doi:10.1038/84588
Spider venom helps hearts keep their rhythm
Kristine Novak






Although the sight of a large hairy spider is enough to give some people a heart attack, spider venom may eventually be used to treat some heart conditions. In the 4 January issue of Nature, Bodeet al. (Nature, 409, 35−36) report that a peptide isolated from the venom of the spider Grammostola spatulata (picture) inhibits atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation, characterized by disorganized atrial activity, occurs in patients suffering from valve disease, hypertension, and chronic lung disease. It is the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia, and can lead to further complications such as hypotension, pulmonary congestion, strokes and angina pectoris.

The anti-arrhythmic effects of this peptide were discovered serendipitously in a research project that initially had nothing to do with hearts or spiders. Frederick Sachs, senior author on the study, began investigating mechanosensitive ion channels over 15 years ago. In a search for agents that block or activate mechanical sensitivity, his group began screening insect venoms, which are known to contain a variety of neuroactive compounds. "We tried a variety of spider and scorpion venoms in patch clamp experiments, and finally found two that inhibited mechanosensitive ion channel activity," said Sachs. Fractionation of the venom led to the isolation of a peptide from tarantula venom, GxMtx-4, that the authors observed to block the activity of cationic stretch-activated ion channels (SACs) in adult astrocytes and cardiocytes.

SACs convert gradients of stress into gradients of electrical activity, and sustained mechanical gradients can develop when systolic pressure and wall tension are high, conditions that are present in the diseased heart. "It was well-known that cardiac wall stretch increases heart rate, and we knew that these receptors were expressed in heart cells," said Sachs. He teamed up with Frank Bode and Mike Franz at Georgetown University to show that the peptide suppressed both the incidence and duration of atrial fibrillation in rabbit hearts. They also showed that GxMtx-4 acts only during stretch activation, as it has no effect on the action potential of resting atrial cells. "It also seems to have no acute effects on normal hearts in the absence of distension," added Sachs, although further toxicity analysis is required.

This finding of Bode et al. constitutes the first demonstration that SAC activation can generate atrial fibrillation. The authors therefore suggest that GsMtx-4 initiates a new class of anti-arrhythmic agents that could act on the cause, rather than the effects of cardiac arrhythmias.

Kewl. If I ever develop the heart condition this article talks about I will be sure to let the doctor know about this treatment. Thanks. How about poison ivy?

[LUKE2447]

Originally Posted by Rico

Sure, if it's being used for its intended purpose, as a natural pain reliever. I don't think anyone would condone its use as a recreational drug, PP.

Now RICO God did not mean for that plant to get loose here on earth to use for our benefit! It was mistake of creation. God makes mistakes doesn't he? We need to pluck them all up and get rid of them. God never meant to have any proper use for them.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Baron1710

Or as is often the case someone told them it was a sin and so they tried to quit, not so much a case of conscience but peer pressure. Peer pressure can be positive but don't make it equal to conscience. Here is a perfect example.


While Mr. Spurgeon was living at Nightingale Lane, Clapham, an excursion was one day organised by one of the young men's classes at the Tabernacle. The brake with the excursionists was to call for the President on their way to mid-Surrey.
It was a beautiful early morning, and the men arrived in high spirits, pipes and cigars alight, and looking forward to a day of unrestrained enjoyment. Mr. Spurgeon was ready waiting at the gate. He jumped up to the box-seat reserved for him, and looking round with an expression of astonishment, exclaimed: "What, gentlemen! Are you not ashamed to be smoking so early?"
Here was a damper! Dismay was on every face. Pipes and cigars one by one failed and dropped out of sight.
When all had disappeared, out came the President's cigar-case. He lit up and smoked away serenely.
The men looked at him astonished. "I thought you said you objected to smoking, Mr. Spurgeon?" one ventured.
"Oh no, I did not say I objected. I asked if they were not ashamed, and it appears they were, for they have all put their pipes away."
Amid laughter the pipes reappeared, and with puffs of smoke the party went on merrily.

http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/cigars.htm

lol

Gotta love that Spurgeon guy. hehe

[Nahum]

Hey Rico, why don't you go roll some poison ivy and smoke it?



lol

[Rico]

Originally Posted by COOPER

Who da thunk it

Pretty neat, huh?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Brad Murphy

For the record, I don't smoke and never have... I just consider it another vice like coffee (which I DO drink), which is just a liquid stimulant that more people are addicted to than they will admit.

Ouch! I

I'm a coffee addict.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Bro-Larry

I have a thread on "How to quit smoking". Just capitulate, give up trying to quit, in your own ability. Give those smokies to Jesus. Just say, "Jesus, I can't do it myself. Please help me". Then just rest in Him. Believe that Jesus has delivered you, even if you continue to smoke for a while. Don't let condemnation stop you.

AMEN!

[COOPER]

Originally Posted by LUKE2447

Now RICO God did not mean for that plant to get loose here on earth to use for our benefit! It was mistake of creation. God makes mistakes doesn't he? We need to pluck them all up and get rid of them. God never meant to have any proper use for them.

It was suppose to be used in cooking!

[DividedThigh]

Originally Posted by Rico

Sorry. Them rib eyes are bad for your arteries and have a lot of fat in them, regardless of how good they may be. Conform or risk the fires of HELL!!! lol

dont make me come downthere rico i might bring steaks with me, lol,

[Nahum]

There is no proper medicinal use for cigarettes.

Period.

There is no medical benefit.

Hello?

Is anybody listening?