Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a key enzyme for converting arachidonic acids to prostanoids, which are known to be induced during inflammation and cancer initiation. Previously, it has been reported that COX inhibitors, such as aspirin, reduce the incidence of human colorectal cancer; therefore, it is widely believed that COX-2 is a potential therapeutic and chemoprevention target for several type...

Selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors were developed to reduce the gastrointestinal toxicity of conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. However, COX-2 inhibitors decrease prostacyclin production and may disrupt the normal homeostatic balance, leading to a prothrombotic state and offsetting the potential gastrointestinal benefits. Available clinical data and basic biological ...

Prostanoids act leading roles in a myriad of physiologic and pathologic processes because these autacoids participate in the amplification of biological responses induced by innumerable stimuli. The formation of prostanoids is operated by two synthases named cyclooxygenase(COX)-1 and COX-2. Traditional nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (tNSAIDs) and COX-2 inhibitors (coxibs) give rise to anti...

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which exist in at least two isoforms, COX-1 and COX-2. Aspirin and older agents in this class are nonselective inhibitors of both COX-1 and COX-2. Newer agents termed "coxibs" are selective inhibitors of COX-2. Among the NSAID, only aspirin has been proven to significantly reduce cardiovascular risk, primarily th...

Nonselective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors are potent tocolytic agents; however, they also have adverse fetal effects such as constriction of the fetal ductus arteriosus. Recently, selective COX-2 inhibitors have been used in the management of preterm labor in the hope of avoiding fetal complications. However, both COX-1 and -2 are expressed by cells of the ductus arteriosus. We used fetal la...