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 ...

Prostaglandins are synthesized from arachidonic acid by the rate-limiting enzyme cyclooxygenase (prostaglandin G/H synthase). Active cyclooxygenase is encoded by two distinct and independently regulated genes, termed cyclooxygenase-1 (cox1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (cox2). In this investigation, we examined the expression of cox1 and cox2 mRNA in rat aorta following balloon deendothelialization (BD...

BACKGROUND The differential effects of selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors compared with nonspecific nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) on platelet aggregation and prostacyclin/thromboxane balance have led to concerns that COX-2 inhibitors may increase the risk for cardiovascular thrombotic events. Empirical studies have generally been limited to analyses of secondary end ...

When cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors (coxibs) came on the market, they were expected to provide a treatment alternative to nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for patients who were at risk for gastrointestinal (GI) complications. For more than five years, coxibs have been prescribed to millions of patients for the treatment of arthritis, acute pain, Alzheimer’s diseas...

BACKGROUND Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) frequently cause adverse drug reactions. Many studies have shown that drugs which selectively inhibit the cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme (COX-2) are safe alternatives in the majority of patients. However, hypersensitivity reactions to COX-2 inhibitors have been published. Hardly any data are available regarding the safety of alternatives in cas...