Abstract
Although β2-receceptor agonists are powerful bronchodilators and are at the forefront of asthma symptom relief, patients who use them frequently develop partial resistance to them. This can be a particularly serious problem during severe attacks, where high dose β2-agonist treatment is the front line therapy. Alternative bronchodilators are urgently needed. In this article we review the evidence for the bronchodilator effects of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and suggest that the mechanisms of action for these effects are sufficiently independent of the mechanisms of standard bronchodilators to warrant clinical investigation. Specifically, clinical trials testing the bronchodilator effects of THC in β2 agonist resistant asthmatic patients would show whether THC could fill the role of rescue bronchodilator in cases of β2 agonist resistance.
Keywords: Asthma, bronchodilation, β2-agonist, CB1 receptor, salbutamol, THC.
Current Drug Targets
Title:The Case for Cannabinoid CB1 Receptors as a Target for Bronchodilator Therapy for β-agonist Resistant Asthma
Volume: 19 Issue: 11
Author(s): John C. Ashton*Robert J. Hancox
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Otago School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin,New Zealand
Keywords: Asthma, bronchodilation, β2-agonist, CB1 receptor, salbutamol, THC.
Abstract: Although β2-receceptor agonists are powerful bronchodilators and are at the forefront of asthma symptom relief, patients who use them frequently develop partial resistance to them. This can be a particularly serious problem during severe attacks, where high dose β2-agonist treatment is the front line therapy. Alternative bronchodilators are urgently needed. In this article we review the evidence for the bronchodilator effects of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and suggest that the mechanisms of action for these effects are sufficiently independent of the mechanisms of standard bronchodilators to warrant clinical investigation. Specifically, clinical trials testing the bronchodilator effects of THC in β2 agonist resistant asthmatic patients would show whether THC could fill the role of rescue bronchodilator in cases of β2 agonist resistance.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Ashton C. John *, Hancox J. Robert, The Case for Cannabinoid CB1 Receptors as a Target for Bronchodilator Therapy for β-agonist Resistant Asthma, Current Drug Targets 2018; 19 (11) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389450118666170615101220
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389450118666170615101220 |
Print ISSN 1389-4501 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-5592 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
New drug therapy for eye diseases
Eyesight is one of the most critical senses, accounting for over 80% of our perceptions. Our quality of life might be significantly affected by eye disease, including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye, etc. Although the development of microinvasive ocular surgery reduces surgical complications and improves overall outcomes, medication therapy is ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Gold Salts Therapy in Respiratory Diseases
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Reduced Lipocalin 2 Expression Contributes to Vincristine Resistance in Human Colon Cancer Cells
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Role of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Lung-Associated Inflammation
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery Breaking the Skin Barrier: Achievements and Future Directions
Current Pharmaceutical Design An Overview on Global Trends in Nanotechnological Approaches for Alzheimer Therapy
Current Drug Metabolism GSTP1 Polymorphisms and their Association with Glutathione Transferase and Peroxidase Activities in Patients with Motor Neuron Disease
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Ghetto Poverty and Pollution in Egypt: A Deadly Threat for Western Countries Caused by New and Infectious Mutants. A Cultural, Social and Microbiological Synopsis
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) IL-22 Produced by T helper Cell 22 as a New player in the Pathogenesis of Immune Thrombocytopenia
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Immunomodulatory and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Thymoquinone
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets CD14 and Toll-Like Receptors: Potential Contribution of Genetic Factors and Mechanisms to Inflammation and Allergy
Current Drug Targets - Inflammation & Allergy ANTI-ADHESION Evolves To a Promising Therapeutic Concept in Oncology
Current Medicinal Chemistry Secondary Metabolites from Cissampelos, A Possible Source for New Leads with Anti-Inflammatory Activity
Current Medicinal Chemistry Cockroach Allergens: Function, Structure and Allergenicity
Protein & Peptide Letters Agents Targeting Ras Signaling Pathway
Current Pharmaceutical Design Omalizumab in Children with Severe Allergic Asthma: The Italian Real- Life Experience
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Episcleritis and Scleritis in Rheumatic Disease
Current Rheumatology Reviews Novel Research Strategies of Benzimidazole Derivatives: A Review
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Immunoproteomics for Serological Diagnosis of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Caused by Environmental Microorganisms
Current Protein & Peptide Science Self-management Programmes for People with Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Current Rheumatology Reviews <i>Zanthoxylum bungeanum</i> Seed Oil Elicits Autophagy and Apoptosis in Human Laryngeal Tumor Cells via PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry