445 



Long estahlislied uses 



Among the best known marine-derived substances U;sed to support man's phys- 

 iological functions are (1) cod liver oil; (2) iodine; and (3) carragheen. 



Drugs currently in use 



1. PAM (pyridine aldoxide methiodide), a drug developed as a result of 

 studies on the electric eel. PAM is useful as a potent antidote for pesticide 

 poisoning and occasionally also as an antidote for drugs used in the treatment 

 of myasthenia gravis. The organophosphates found in insecticides inhibit the 

 natural enzyme cholinesterase which is necessary to remove the acetylcholine 

 released when nerve impulses are transmitted at nerve endings. If the acetylcho- 

 line is not removed, a variety of serious symptoms occur which may ultimately 

 lead to death. PAM reacts with the organophosphates to release the free 

 cholinesterase, thus permitting it to react with the acetylcholine. 



2. Cephalothin, an antibiotic obtained from a fungus found in the sea ofC 

 the Coast of Sardinia. Cephalothin is a semi-synthetic derivative of cephalo- 

 sporin C, an antibiotic similar to penicillin which is not attacked by pencillinase 

 and is therefore active against certain bacteria no longer destroyed by peni- 

 cillin. 



3. Carrageenin, a drug extracted from Irish Moss for which an investigational 

 new drug application has been filed but not yet approved; it has antisecretory 

 action and is intended for use in the treatment of upper gastrointestinal com- 

 plaints. 



4. Certain drugs currently in use in Japan but not yet cleared for use in this 

 country : 



(a) Kainic acid, a substance obtained from seaweed, useful as a vermifuge 

 for treatment of roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. 



(&) Tetrodotoxin, a marine poison obtained from the puffer fish, used to 

 relax muscular spasms and as a palliative in terminal cancer. 



Neiv developments 



1. Shellfish extracts. Work by Dr. C. P. Li of the National Institutes of Health 

 and Dr. Oscar Liu of the Northeast Marine Health Sciences Laboratory has 

 demonstrated and described anti-viral and anti-leukemia activity in extracts of 

 certain shellfish. Shellfish extracts proved effective against polio and influenza 

 viruses in mice, although the degree of activity was low. A more potent extract 

 was derived solely from the stomach and liver of the shellfish. Shellfish extracts 

 also showed activity against tumors in hamsters and leukemia and carcinoma in 

 mice. 



2. The blue-green alga, Lyngtya majuscula, has been shown to have a variety 

 of growth-inhibiting properties, anti-microbial, anti-viral, and fungicidal. 



3. Studies of Antarctic penguins, the shrimp they consumed, and the algae 

 consumed by the shrimp led to the isolation and identification of acrylic acid as 

 a potential antibiotic. 



Future prospects 



A great many marine biotoxins have not yet been isolated and identified, and 

 their properties characterized. Work within or supported by various segments of 

 DHEW, as well sus work in other Government agencies and in private institutions, 

 will ultimately disclose valuable uses for some of these substances for therapy 

 and medical research. 



Mr. EoGERS. Also, would you let us have this for the record. I under- 

 stand now they are talking about the possibility of operations at pres- 

 sures, and so forth. 



Dr. Jacobs. I think this is very important, I am glad you brought 

 this up, Mr. Eogers. 



With man in the sea and the anticipation that with further explora- 

 tion of the Continental Shelf we will have more men in the sea, we do 

 have to address ourselves to medical problems in regard to the hyper- 

 baric situation. 



There is sometliing already going on in this area because people are 

 also interested in it from the standpoint of man on the land in regard 

 to cardiovascular disease. The Health Eesearch Facilities Branch and 



