野口英世的蛇毒研究

Noguchi Hideyo’s Research on Snake Venom

二十世纪初多次获得诺贝尔生理学或医学奖提名的日本微生物学家野口英世因梅毒、黄热病等研究著称于世,但人们对他赴美之初的蛇毒研究知之甚少。不过,正是这项研究使其获得了美国免疫学界的认可,并成为首个在洛克菲勒研究所任职的亚洲学者。通过梳理野口早期发表的论文发现,他曾深入研究过蛇毒的凝血与溶血机制、蛇毒与动物血清的作用和抗眼镜蛇毒血清的效用,不仅阐明了蛇毒的毒理、率先研制出抗响尾蛇毒的血清,还论证了动物血清中抗体-补体的作用方式。文章认为,初出茅庐的野口研究蛇毒即取得成功的主要原因有:一、抗体-补体理论作为一种新兴的免疫学理论,为动物毒素研究提供了借鉴;二、刚刚问世的免疫学减毒方法为研制抗蛇毒血清奠定了基础;三、西蒙·弗莱克斯纳和塞拉斯·米切尔的悉心指导;四、野口具有攻坚克难的胆识、勤奋好学的品性和坚忍不拔的毅力。

Japanese microbiologist Noguchi Hideyo,who was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine many times in the early 20th century,is known for his research on syphilis and yellow fever,but his research on snake venom immediately after he arrived in the United States is rarely known by people.However,it was because of this research that Noguchi earned recognition of the US immunology community and became the first Asian scholar who worked at the Rockefeller Institute.A review of the papers published by Noguchi in the early stage shows that he thoroughly studied the mechanism of blood coagulation and hemolysis of snake venom,the action between snake venom and animal serum,and the effectiveness of anticobra venin.He not only clarified the toxicology of snake venom and developed the anticrotalus venin,but he also demonstrated the antibody-complement action of animal serum.This article believes that the main reasons for the early success of Noguchi’s research on snake venom are as follows:First,antibody-complement theory,as a new immunological theory,provides reference for animal toxin research;second,the newly developed immunological attenuation method laid foundation for the development of anti-venom serum;third,Simon Flexner and Silas Mitchell’s offered careful guidance;fourth,Noguchi was courageous to overcome difficulties,diligent at work,eager to study and steadfast in perseverance.