The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
A compound found in cannabis can help to reduce lung damage from Covid-19, a new study claims. Researchers from the Dental College of Georgia say that CBD appears to reduce the ‘cytokine storm’ that damages the lungs of patients with Covid-19. Earlier this year, the team found that CBD was able to improve oxygen levels and reduce lung inflammation in Covid-19 patients.
Now, they’ve shown the mechanism by which this occurs. Their findings indicate that CBD enables an increase in levels of a natural peptide called apelin, which is known to reduce inflammation. In their study, the team was able to show that blood levels of apelin increase 20 times when patients were given CBD.
Also read: Singapore to use rapid coronavirus tests during weddings, events
Dr Jack Yu, who worked on the study, said: “CBD almost brought it back to a normal level.” This isn’t the first time that scientists have suggested that a compound in cannabis could help to reduce lung damage from Covid-19. Earlier this year, researchers from the University of South Carolina claimed that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), one of the main active compound in cannabis, can reduce inflammation in the lungs known as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Also read: 11 foods you should never store in a fridge
In the study, the researchers tested the effects of THC on mice with ARDS.
