By Recent studies conducted by Johns Hopkins present a new way of dealing with the fatal effects of cigarette smoke. The treatment, if proven viable on humans, could cure and prevent any lung damage caused by active or passive smoking, using blood pressure drugs.
The laboratory-studies so far involved mice that were exposed to cigarette smoke for almost two months. Using Losartan (also known as Cozaar), the treatment prevented any lung damage caused by smoking effects. It seems that this drug prevents lung tissue breakdown, inflammation and lung expansion.
At this point of the research, the scientist is eager to conduct human trials in an attempt to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema and even bronchitis. At the moment, there are around 12 million Americans suffering from lung related diseases, and with no existing treatment thus far, blood pressure drugs could provide the proper solution.
Currently, COPD is the third leading cause of death in theUnited States, and researchers believe they can greatly reduce this number in the next years by using blood pressure drugs in order to reduce the effects and cure the disease, being a great improvement comparing the existing procedures of medicine and lung transplant.
Given that blood pressure drugs are approved in theUnited Statesfor hypertension treatments, implementing them for lung diseases should not take much time.
Scientists consider this to be a great breakthrough treatment, consisting of a viable treatment for any lung damage, including the effects of cigarette smoke. This study started when Cozaar drug proved to be useful in reducing the effects of Marfan syndrome (a genetic mutation that damages the arteries).
Of course, even if blood pressure drugs work in reducing the lethal effects of smoking, no one should be encouraged to continue or start smoking, this common addiction remaining extremely dangerous to both active and passive smokers around the world.