Cannabinoids are a group of compounds that mediate their effects through cannabinoid receptors. The discovery of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as the major psychoactive principle in marijuana, as well as the identification of cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands, has led to a significant growth in research aimed at understanding the physiological functions of cannabinoids. Cannabi...

Rheumatic diseases in women of childbearing years may necessitate drug treatment during a pregnancy, to control maternal disease activity and to ensure a successful pregnancy outcome. This survey is based on a consensus workshop of international experts discussing effects of anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive and biological drugs during pregnancy and lactation. In addition, effects of these d...

To the Editor: We read with great interest the article entitled, “A Case of Acute Myocardial Infarction Induced by Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitor” by Seo et al.[1] The authors have shown a correlation of aceclofenac intake with the myocardial infarction. This is really important information to be noted as aceclofenac or any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) of this group were ...

of monoclonal human IgRF autoantibodies. J Exp Med 1984;160:893-904. 44. Fong S, Chen PP, Gilbertson JA, el al. Expression of three cross reactive idiotypes on rheumatoid factor autoantibodies from patients with autoimmune diseases and seropositive adults. J Immunol 1986;137: 122-8. 45. Chen PP, Albrandt K, Orida NK, etal. Genetic basis for the cross-reactive idiotypes on the light chains of hu...

Prostatic diseases are characterized by increased activity of cytokines, growth factors, and cyclooxygenases- (COX-) 1 and 2. Activation of COX-1 and COX-2 results in increased levels of prostaglandins and the induction of angiogenic, antiapoptotic and inflammatory processes. Inhibition of COX enzymes by members of the widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) class of drugs decre...

Historically, anti-inflammatory drugs had their origins in the serendipitous discovery of certain plants and their extracts being applied for the relief of pain, fever and inflammation. When salicylates were discovered in the mid-19th century to be the active components of Willow Spp., this enabled these compounds to be synthesized and from this, acetyl-salicylic acid or Aspirin was developed. ...

It is important for orthopaedic surgeons to understand the role of prostaglandins in bone physiology and the mechanism of action of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and their role in fracture healing, fusion, osteointegration, and aseptic loosening. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have benefits and risks in orthopaedic use, and their effects should be considered.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit the isoenzymes COX-1 and COX-2 of cyclooxygenase (COX). Renal side effects (e.g., kidney function, fluid and urinary electrolyte excretion) vary with the extent of COX-2-COX-1 selectivity and the administered dose of these compounds. While young healthy subjects will rarely experience adverse renal effects with the use of NSAIDs, elderly pa...

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