According to a recent article in Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News, researchers at the UofSC have presented data stating that the cannabis compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is effective against respiratory distress syndrome when it is caused by Staphylococcal enterotoxin.
Most of the clinical studies supporting the use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes have been performed using purified cannabinoids. This is especially true of the THC phytocannabinoid as well as nabilone, the synthetic derivative.
The study, published in Britain’s Journal of Pharmacology, suggests that THC may be an effective treatment for ARDS resulting from COVID-19.
ARDS and the Cytokine Storm
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can be caused by Staphylococcal enterotoxin-B (SEB) which is known to be a superantigen with severe inflammatory and toxic effects. Inhaling SEB causes ARDS and organ failure which may be fatal.
THC suppresses inflammation as it promotes beneficial bacteria, preventing damage to various organs.
The immune systems of ARD patients react in a manner similar to COVID-19 patients. After they are admitted to the hospital if a patient’s condition is severe, it may evolve into a cytokine storm leading to respiratory and organ failure.
Cytokine release occurs as a result of infections and various stimuli. Researchers who examined COVID-19 patients noted that a patient’s rapid deterioration coincided with substantial cytokine release.
Dr. Mitzi Nagarkatti, chair of UofSC ‘s pathology department commented on the major clinical issues relating to cytokine storm. Dr. Nagarkatti acknowledged that for the past twenty years his team has been working with cannabinoids such as THC and found them to be anti-inflammatory.
The doctor highly recommends testing THC and its effects on patients with ARDS as it relates to COVID-19.
There are no drugs approved by the FDA for the treatment of ARDS. The mortality rate stands at 40% with 78.9 out of 100,000 new cases of ARDS each year in the U.S.
Testing THC
The researchers used an ARDS mouse model in their study to test THC. The team analyzed the mice looking for issues such as inflammation in the lungs or changes in lung and gut microbiota (e.g.bacteria or fungi).
Microbiota can play a role in controlling ARDS. As proof, the team performed fecal microbiota transplantation. Fecal transplants have been used to change the patient’s gut microbial makeup and create a healthy environment.
The researchers found that SEB activated ARDS resulting in a one hundred percent death rate in mice. Conversely, THC offered protection against fatality events.
Conducting an analysis using pyrosequencing, a DNA sequencing technology, the researchers confirmed that THC made significant changes in the microbiota in the gut and lungs of mice that were in a SEB environment.
THC increased the quantity of beneficial bacterial species and decreased disease-producing (pathogenic) microbiota.
Dr. Nagarkatti’s laboratory has researched cannabinoids for decades. Thanks to Dr. Nagarkatti’s dedication, the FDA granted orphan status to cannabidiol (CBD) for the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis.
