As if the man who inspired the account ofCount Draculaneeded another crashing dimension , new research has revealed thatVlad the Impalermay have had a condition that made him exclaim teardrop ofblood . Unlike his fabricated counterpart , however , the mortal despot also seem to have had various respiratory and hide disorder join to inflammation .
Boasting an impressive regalia of scary names – admit Vlad Drăculea ( which signify “ Son of the Dragon ” ) – Vlad the Impaler rule over Wallachia ( which frame Transylvania ) with an iron fist in the 15th century . Seen as a hero in Romania for his unswerving defense of the part , the illustrious lover of skewering is thought to have been responsible for about 80,000 deaths , many of which were by impalement .
It ’s also believed that Vlad provided the inspiration behind Bram Stoker ’s 1897 classic novelDracula , though this has never been definitively support . Rather than focusing on any fictional writings , however , the writer of a new written report take apart three document penned by the Impaler himself to learn more about the legendary tyrant ’s wellness .
Written in Transylvania in 1457 and 1475 , the three letter were all addressed to the rule of the city of Sibiu , Thomas Altemberger , and dealt with mundane matters such as tax collection . Using a non - damaging technique ask ethylene - vinyl group acetate ( EVA ) , the researchers were able-bodied to isolate and identify peptide andproteinspresent on the rag theme on which the letters were write .
“ We characterized about 500 peptides , of which about 100 peptides were certainly of human origin , ” write the study writer . “ Peptides related to rake protein or come from proteins involved in the respiratory system were identified in all the document characterized . ”
Among the compounds found were peptides relate to ciliopathy , indicating that Vlad may have had a genetic mutation that compromised the function of his prison cell and organ . Other proteins associated with inflammatory process were also identified , intimate that he in all likelihood had issue with his peel and respiratory tract .
Intriguingly , the researchers also divulge that “ three peptide associate with protein of the retina and tears were notice only in the documents dated 1475 . ” base on the nature of these compounds , it seems probable that Vlad the Impaler had a condition calledhaemolacria , intend he cast tears that were mix with blood .
“ Although proteomics data can not be considered exhaustive alone , altogether , these identifications might indicate that Dracula ' criedtears of origin ' , ” drop a line the study authors .
Just imagine the state of his pillow !
The study is issue in the journalACS Analytical Chemistry .
