Cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibition and exacerbation of myocardial dysfunction - protection with nitric oxide?

Induction of cyclo-oxygenase and nitric oxide synthase in inflammation.

Nitric oxide mediated effect of cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors.

OBJECTIVES Non-Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) have long been used as anti-inflammatory agents, yet their mode of action is not entirely clear. The inhibitory effects of NSAIDS on prostaglandin production can only partly explain their anti-inflammatory actions. This study was aimed at defining the role of cycl-oxygenase (COX) inhibitors on nitric oxide (NO) production in murine macro...

Dynamic compression counteracts IL-1β induced inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression in chondrocyte/agarose constructs

BACKGROUND Nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2play pivotal roles in both the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis and catabolic processes in articular cartilage. These mediators are influenced by both IL-1beta and mechanical loading, and involve alterations in the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 enzymes. To identify the specific interactions that are activated b...

Selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibition with celecoxib elevates blood pressure and promotes leukocyte adherence.

1. Selective inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase-2 have been shown to be effective anti-inflammatory drugs with reduced gastrointestinal toxicity relative to conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In the present study, we examined the possibility that selective COX-2 inhibition, by blocking prostacyclin synthesis, would increase blood pressure and cause leukocyte adherence and pl...

Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression at the site of recent myocardial infarction: friend or foe?

BACKGROUND Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) is induced in cardiomyocytes only in response to stress, such as ischaemia. OBJECTIVE To assess COX-2 expression at the site of recent myocardial infarction. METHODS COX-2 expression was evaluated by specific immunostaining in cardiomyocytes from 23 subjects who died 10-60 days after acute myocardial infarction. The relation between COX-2 myocardial expr...