They found “blood tears” in the letters of Prince Vlad, who inspired the Dracula legend – Diario El Ciudadano y la Región

Based on the latest findings presented in the latest study, published in analytical chemistry, The team analyzed in detail the proteins and peptides contained in three letters written by the 15th-century prince. The findings suggest that Vlad III may have suffered from skin and respiratory problems and may have shed tears of blood.

who is this prince Inspired the creation of the iconic literary character Count Dracula, the vampire, From AD 1448 until his death in AD 1476, he demonstrated his leadership in three different ways as governor (military leader) of the historic Romanian region of Wallachia. Historians estimate that more than 80,000 people were killed by the warlord’s orders, many of them impaled, which earned him the nickname.

Study Vlad the Impaler’s card

The handwriting process involves hand-to-paper contact, which can transfer chemicals and skin molecules to the paper. The team scoured the files for these substances and, once found, traced their origins.

To extract information about the bloodthirsty ruler, the researchers used a special plastic film called ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), which extracts proteins and small molecules from the paper without damaging it.

then use A technique called mass spectrometrycommonly used in laboratory analysis of chemical substances, identified thousands of different small peptide molecules on paper, Traces left by the earl’s handling of these documents centuries ago.

Specifically, this process reveals 500 peptides exist, 100 of which are of human origin. From these findings, the researchers found evidence of ciliopathies, a genetic disorder that affects cell and organ function, as well as evidence of inflammatory diseases that can lead to airway and skin problems.

However, the most important finding is that A letter written in AD 1475 containing three peptides present in retinal and tear proteins.

Based on the properties of these peptides, the researchers recommend: Vlad may also suffer from lacrimal disease, a condition that causes blood to mix with the fluid in the tear ducts.leading to tears stained with blood.

Although the exact cause of this condition is unknown, the researchers have raised one possibility: Bacteria linked to plague, eye damage, bacterial conjunctivitis and even the presence of fruit flies.

“As far as we know, this is the first investigation of its kind. and contributed to the revelation of the impaler Vlad Dracula’s health,” the authors wrote in the study.

“It cannot be denied that more medieval people may have had access to these documents, but it can also be speculated that the most famous ancient protein must have been related to Prince Vlad the Impaler, who wrote and signed these letters,” they wrote.

How did the story of Dracula happen?

By the end of the 15th century, books about his brutality became very popular, becoming one of the best sellers in Europe. In Russia, popular history suggests that Vlad could only strengthen the central government through brutal punishment, and most Romanian historians held a similar view in the nineteenth century.irish writer Bram Stoker was inspired by the prince to create the character of the vampire Count Dracula.

Published in 1897, Bram Stoker’s work was the first book to connect Dracula with vampires. The author drew his attention to the blood-drinking vampires of Romanian folklore through an essay on Transylvanian superstitions by Emily Gerard.