New research reveals that cannabidiol (CBD) is effective in reducing the ‘cytokine storm’ causing excessive lung inflammation and mortality of patients with COVID-19. According to the team conducting the research, CBD reduces lung damage by increasing the levels of apelin. A natural peptide, apelin is made by cells of the heart, lung, brain, fat tissue and blood, and reduces both blood pressure and inflammation.
Carried out by researchers at the Dental College of Georgia and Medical College of Georgia, in the US, the study shows that the blood level dropped almost to zero in their adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) model, but with CBD, it increased 20 times.
Dr Babak Baban, DCG immunologist stated that in patients with ARDS, ideally apelin would increase in the areas of the lungs where it is needed to help improve blood and oxygen flow. Based on their ARD model, apelin did not do either. Instead, it decreased in both the lung tissue and in the general circulation. This is, until they added CBD.
The researchers stated in a report (published online: 2 September 2020) that the typical effects of ARDs such as excessive lung inflammation, reduced lung function and structural damage to the lungs was significantly reduced by the treatment with CBD. It was noted that CBD improved oxygen levels in the blood and enabled the lungs to recover from the structural damage.
The scientists have linked the improvements with regulation of apelin. While they aren’t attributing all of CBD’s benefits to the peptide, nevertheless they do believe it plays an important role. Additionally, they state that they are not yet certain if either SARS-CoV-2 or CBD have a direct effect on apelin, or if these are just consequences. However, their quest for answers continues.
Baban said that they are aware that there is an association, but are not yet certain if it contributes to the disease, however, it is a very good indicator thereof. They believe that their findings of the reduction in apelin in patients with ARDS indicate that the protective level of the peptide is a potential early biomarker for ARDs and response to treatment.
The researchers used 3 groups of mouse models for their study. A control group received an intranasal saline for three consecutive days. The 2nd group, the COVID-19 model, received a synthetic analogue of double-stranded RNA for 3 days. The 3rd group, the treatment group, received the RNA and CBD over the same amount of time.
The mouse models with ARDS had notably lower levels of apelin. They had developed COVID-like symptoms whereas the control group did not. When they received treatment with CBD, their immune response, as well as their apelin levels normalized. Their oxygen levels improved and the swelling and scarring of their lungs which is typical of ARDs, was reduced.
The next steps, according to the researchers, include a better understanding of the relationship and interaction between CBD, apelin and SARS-CoV-2. They also need to investigate why apelin levels lessen in the virus and why CBD increases it.
