​Palmitoylethanolamide for Asthma

Research Article in Frontiers in Pharmacology Shows That PEA Supplementation Reduces Airway Sensitivity Symptoms in Mice

You can create asthma symptoms in mice by a process called “allergen sensitization”.  This is related to the role of mast cells in asthma.

PEA appears to be a “down-regulator” of mast cell activity in the airways.  The first part of this study confirmed that PEA levels were LOWER in mice with created asthma symptoms (allergic symptoms in the lung tissue).  This fits into the model where cells with a lowered local level of PEA are more likely to be more easily inflamed or sensitive.  (Chronic pain and inflammation lead to REDUCED PEA levels in the cells.)

Simply put – this means that giving the mice asthma in this way, caused PEA levels in the cells to drop.

When the mice were supplemented with PEA (palmitoylethanolamide) at 10mg/kg 15 MINUTES before exposure to the allergen – this PREVENTED BRONCHIAL HYPERACTIVITY.

This supplementation also avoided pulmonary inflammation and allergen-induced cell recruitment (ie stopped the allergic cascade).

This has HUGE implications for allergy based sensitivity and corresponding asthma symptoms.  The mice developed lower PEA levels when exposed to the allergen, and when supplemented with PEA DID NOT DEVELOP THE ALLERGY AND SENSITIZATION.