cnoiark.icu

As countries around the world compete to develop SARS-CoV-2 (the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19) vaccines, scientists are trying to understand exactly how it leads to a range of seemingly long-standing symptoms after active viral infections. In a new study, researchers from Osaka University and Osaka Yanye Medical Center in Japan identified an effective treatment for the treatment of fatal inflammatory hyperactivation experienced by many patients with severe COVID-19. The results were recently published in the journal PNAS, entitled “IL-6 trans-induces plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 from vascular endothelial cells in cytokine release syndrome”.

Cytokines are a group of small proteins that can enhance or suppress the immune response of our body to diseases such as infection, trauma, and cancer. One of their main roles is to stimulate inflammation and thus initiate the healing process. The problem is that overstimulation of the inflammatory response produces a range of deleterious complications, from asthma to severe autoimmune diseases. One of these complications, called cytokine release syndrome (CRS), is seen in patients who are hyper-immune to microbial infections or trauma and can lead to multiple organ failure or even death.

Sujin Kang of Osaka University, lead author of the paper, said, “Although it is known which cytokines are involved, there is still no specific immunotherapy for CRS, and treatment is limited to supportive care. In order to better understand the molecular mechanisms of CRS pathogenesis, we first studied the cytokine profile in 91 patients (three groups of patients) diagnosed with CRS associated with bacterial sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or burns.”

Strikingly, these three groups of patients had elevated levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and MCP-10, as well as a protein called PAI-1, which causes small blood clots in blood vessels throughout the body, including in the lungs. Importantly, increased PAI-1 levels were associated with more severe cases of pneumonia, a common cause of death among COVID-19 patients.

Given that IL-6 is positively correlated with the levels of other cytokines and PAI-1, these researchers concluded that IL-6 signaling is essential for the appearance of CRS after infection or trauma and may play a role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19.

Tadamitsu Kishimoto of Osaka University, corresponding author of the paper, said, “Studies of cytokine profiles in patients with severe COVID-19 have found that IL-6 increases early in the disease process, resulting in the release of PAI-1 from the blood vessels. Notably, PAI-1 levels were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients with severe respiratory disorders.”

Most significantly, however, when severe COVID-19 patients are treated with a human monoclonal antibody drug called tocilizumab (Actemra), this drug blocks IL-6 signaling, rapidly decreases PAI-1 levels, and relieves severe disease symptoms. Therefore, IL-6 signaling blockade may be useful for the treatment of severe respiratory complications in both CRS and COVID-19.

The athlete’s treasured tool is his body. In sports, an athlete’s body is under constant wear and tear. With that said, they often employ several healing techniques and pain management to get through training, tournaments, marathons, and so on.

Pain management for athletes means the constant urge to use over-the-counter painkillers (for quick relief), but it’s not a good idea to be fully dependent on them as it can pose serious health threats in the long run.

Athletes are looking for more organic ways of managing their pain and one of which is CBD (cannabidiol) oil.

Some of the most known benefits of CBD for athletes

Relieves pain

Cannabinoids like CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) can be effective agents for reducing pain from exercise and even osteoarthritis. Their influence on the human endocannabinoid system is key in reducing pain because they mainly inhibit inflammation (which has the key role in the sensation of pain).

THC has more literature on its belt, claiming its effectiveness in inducing an analgesic effect but CBD is a more popular choice because it’s non-psychoactive.

A good alternative to NSAIDs

Over-the-counter NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are included in an athlete’s basic arsenal. It proves to be effective in most cases, but it has developmental side effects like renal damage, stroke, heart attack, and so on.

Athletes find CBD as a good alternative for NSAIDs. They find themselves using CBD more than NSAIDs for training-related pain because of its minimal side effects.

In a study titled The Essentials of Pain Medicine, Fourth Ed., they said, “There are no documented deaths from cannabis or cannabinoid-based products. In a systematic review of studies of oral and oral-mucosal cannabis for various medical conditions, the majority of adverse events reports were considered non-serious (96.6%).”

A good alternative to opioids

According to the CDC or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, opioid usage led to the death of 42,000 individuals in 2016, within the US alone. Opioid medications such as i.e., morphine, codeine, oxycontin are highly effective in relieving pain. However, these types of medications trigger addiction and death if wrongly dosed.

Cannabinoids like CBD are not as quick-relieving as opioids, but they have lesser and tolerable side effects. CBD is best suited for long-term healing, either alone or in combination with other non-invasive drugs.

Reduces Inflammation

A controlled level of inflammation is a good thing for an athlete because it helps stimulate a positive training adaptation. However, too much of that inflammation can be painful and, worse, hinders most of the body’s natural healing process.

The endocannabinoid system or ECS is one of the regulators of inflammation. Its arm of communication is through its receptors (CB1 and CBD2 receptors). Receptors can be found in almost all parts of the human body, but it is famously found in the immune tissues.

Cannabinoids like CBD can slightly bind with certain ECS’s receptors. Once both entities bind, they reduce inflammation by reducing cytokines or cell messengers. The action is similar to inhibiting immune response after strenuous work-outs.

Improves your gut health

A healthy gut is important for athletes because it adds to their endurance. Sometimes, inflammation can happen in your small and large intestines. It causes pain and lessens your ability to deliver.

CBD can’t heal dehydration and bloating, but it can help subside gut inflammation. A study on mice successfully showed the effectiveness of CBD in reducing colitis.

Improves your sleep quality

Having enough and rhythmic sleep is an important quality that an athlete should have. Anecdotally, athletes under regular CBD treatment experienced ease in sleep and completion of the required 8-hour night’s rest.

CBD binds to ECS’s receptors and inhibits adenosine reuptake, which helps you feel sleepy quickly.

Anxiety is a factor that prevents a restful night’s sleep. CBD has anti-anxiety effects that could help curb your anxiety and makes you sleep better.