‘Blood substitute’ worm trials start

CLINICAL trials are about to start on using substances extracted from a kind of Breton worm, which it is claimed could provide a universal blood substitute.

Marine biologist Franck Zal says the Arenicola marina – commonly called a lugworm or sandworm - which leaves coiled castings on the Breton beaches, could provide a molecule which could be used in products which could help save millions of lives.

“We could make different kinds of medical product – blood substitutes, solutions for preserving organs for transplantation, even dressings for treating people with diabetes,” he told France Info.

It was while he was studying the worms’ breathing system that Dr Zal realised they had unusual blood, without red corpuscles, meaning it could be of a universal type.

In the coming weeks trials will be carried out on 60 kidney transplant patients.

Dr Zal, founder of a firm called Hémarina in Morlaix, is also in talks with the US navy over a product which could be used for soldiers with cerebral oedema (fluid accumulation in the brain).

Lugworms are rarely seen apart from by fishermen who dig them out of the sand to use as bait.

Photo: 4028mdk09 / Wikimedia Commons