CBD reversed ARDS symptoms in mice by upregulating apelin, a peptide involved in immune regulation
In a mouse model of viral-induced ARDS, CBD reversed respiratory distress symptoms and significantly increased expression of apelin, a regulatory peptide, in blood and lung tissue.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Using intranasal Poly(I:C) to mimic viral ARDS in mice, researchers found that ARDS significantly decreased apelin expression in blood and lung tissue. CBD treatment reversed ARDS symptoms toward normal levels and significantly increased apelin expression. This is the first demonstration of a CBD-apelin connection, suggesting the apelinergic system may mediate some of CBD anti-inflammatory effects.
Key Numbers
Poly(I:C) mimicked viral ARDS symptoms; ARDS decreased apelin in blood and lungs; CBD reversed symptoms and increased apelin expression significantly.
How They Did This
Mouse model of ARDS induced by intranasal Poly(I:C) (synthetic viral dsRNA). CBD treatment administered to ARDS mice. Apelin expression measured in blood and lung tissue by comparison with controls.
Why This Research Matters
During the COVID-19 pandemic, ARDS was a leading cause of death. This study identifies apelin as a potential mechanism for CBD effects on respiratory inflammation, opening a new therapeutic pathway.
The Bigger Picture
The apelin system regulates immunity, cardiovascular function, and metabolism. Finding that CBD modulates apelin in the lungs connects cannabinoid pharmacology to a broader regulatory network and may explain CBD anti-inflammatory effects beyond traditional cannabinoid receptors.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Mouse model with synthetic viral mimic (not actual virus); small study; mechanism not fully elucidated; cannot determine if apelin increase causes or merely accompanies symptom improvement; no dose-response data.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would apelin supplementation alone replicate CBD effects on ARDS?
- ?Does this mechanism apply to ARDS from other causes, not just viral?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- First evidence of CBD-apelin connection in ARDS
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary: novel finding in a mouse model; mechanism is plausible but needs extensive validation.
- Study Age:
- Published 2020.
- Original Title:
- Cannabidiol (CBD) modulation of apelin in acute respiratory distress syndrome.
- Published In:
- Journal of cellular and molecular medicine, 24(21), 12869-12872 (2020)
- Authors:
- Salles, Évila Lopes(3), Khodadadi, Hesam(3), Jarrahi, Abbas(2), Ahluwalia, Meenakshi, Paffaro, Valdemar Antonio, Costigliola, Vincenzo, Yu, Jack C, Hess, David C, Dhandapani, Krishnan M, Baban, Babak
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02817
Evidence Hierarchy
Tests effects in animals (usually mice or rats), not humans.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Could CBD help with ARDS?
In a mouse model mimicking viral ARDS, CBD reversed respiratory distress symptoms and increased levels of apelin, a regulatory peptide. This is promising but preclinical, and has not been tested in human ARDS patients.
What is apelin?
A peptide that regulates immune responses, cardiovascular function, and metabolism. This study found ARDS decreased apelin in the lungs and blood, while CBD restored it, suggesting apelin may mediate some of CBD anti-inflammatory effects.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02817APA
Salles, Évila Lopes; Khodadadi, Hesam; Jarrahi, Abbas; Ahluwalia, Meenakshi; Paffaro, Valdemar Antonio; Costigliola, Vincenzo; Yu, Jack C; Hess, David C; Dhandapani, Krishnan M; Baban, Babak. (2020). Cannabidiol (CBD) modulation of apelin in acute respiratory distress syndrome.. Journal of cellular and molecular medicine, 24(21), 12869-12872. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcmm.15883
MLA
Salles, Évila Lopes, et al. "Cannabidiol (CBD) modulation of apelin in acute respiratory distress syndrome.." Journal of cellular and molecular medicine, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcmm.15883
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabidiol (CBD) modulation of apelin in acute respiratory ..." RTHC-02817. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/salles-2020-cannabidiol-cbd-modulation-of
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.