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What is Botulinum Toxin?

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Botulinum Toxin
What is Botulinum Toxin?
Botulinum toxin is the world’s strongest natural toxin that is created by the growth of clostridium botulinum, an anaerobic bacteria; Botulinum toxin only grows under limited oxygen levels and at temperatures less than 80degreeC. Although botulinum toxin can be ten times more deadly than cyanide and causes botulism, it has many practical medical uses. Botulinum toxin is a protein and has seven structural types. However, only botulinum toxin A and botulinum toxin B have been approved for medical and cosmetic use. Botulinum toxin, most often known for its cosmetic uses such as Botox, has many other medical uses. Some practical uses for botulinum toxin include it being used as a muscle relaxant and pain killer.

Introduction to how BT works?
Botulinum toxin is very effective in reducing pain and muscle spasm. When botulinum toxin is released into the body, it blocks the release of acetylcholine , a neurotransmitter that cuts off the signal between nerves and muscles. When one’s nerves stop transmitting signals to the muscles, one cannot feel pain as strongly, thus reducing pain and one muscles relax.

The Structure of BT?
Botulinum toxin A and botulinum toxin B are the only serologically differentiated botulinum toxins that are available for commercial and medical uses. Botulinum toxin A and botulinum toxin B both have polypeptides, which is a peptide chain connected by amide bonds. The light 50-kDa dichain polypeptide and the

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