Researchers state that the cytokine storm in connection with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is considered to be the main cause of mortality in severe COVID-19 courses. In the summer, scientists from the Dental College of Georgia and the Medical College of Georgia reported that CBD could reduce the inflammation and lung damage in ARDS. They published the results in the journal“Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research”.
In the study, the scientists simulated the histopathological, physiological and immunological characteristics of the ARDS in connection with a SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice. To do this, they used a synthetic analogue of viral double-stranded RNA (poly (I: C)) that was administered intranasally to the mice. In the model, the administration of cannabidiol (CBD) reduced the level of proinflammatory cytokines and alleviated the clinical symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome.
In the new study, which was published in the "Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine", they have now correlated the improvements through cannabidiol with the regulation of Apelin. The ubiquitous peptide is made by cells in the heart, lungs, brain, adipose tissue, and blood. It plays an important role in the central and peripheral regulation of immunity, the CNS, metabolism and the cardiovascular system. Its expression overlaps with that of the endocannabinoid system. For ARDS, Apelin should ideally gain weight in the lungs to improve blood and oxygen flow.
