In addition to a constitutive cyclo-oxygenase (Cox-1), human endothelial cells also possess an inducible cyclo-oxygenase (Cox-2) which plays an important role in the regulation of the synthesis of prostacyclin (prostaglandin I2). Cox-2 is regulated and expressed in large quantities upon activation of the cells by inducers such as phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C...

In 1971, Vane showed that the analgesic action of traditional NSAIDs relies on inhibition of the cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzyme, which in turn results in reduced synthesis of proalgesic prostaglandins. Two decades later COX was shown to exist as two distinct isoforms. The constitutive isoform COX-1, supports the beneficial homeostatic functions whereas the inducible isoform, COX-2 becomes up regu...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Endothelial cell dysfunction in the ocular circulation may contribute to normal pressure glaucoma (NPG). This study aimed to investigate the contributions made by endothelium derived relaxing factors to relaxation of (1) subcutaneous resistance arteries from patients with NPG, and (2) porcine ciliary arteries. METHODS Human gluteal resistance arteries were isolated from seven ...

BACKGROUND Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) complicates the clinical course of preterm infants and increases the risk of adverse outcomes. Indomethacin has been the standard treatment to close a PDA but is associated with renal, gastrointestinal and cerebral side-effects. Ibuprofen has less effect on blood flow velocity to important organs. OBJECTIVES To determine the effectiveness and safety o...

The role of arachidonic acid metabolism in the efflux of intracellular enzymes from damaged skeletal muscle has been examined in vitro using inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes. Damage to skeletal muscle induced by either calcium ionophore A23187 (25 microM) or dinitrophenol (1 mM) caused an increase in the efflux of prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha together with a large efflux...

CAN J ANESTH 54: 1 www.cja-jca.org January, 2007 8 Hernandez-Diaz S, Varas-Lorenzo C, Garcia Rodriguez LA. Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs and the risk of acute myocardial infarction. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2006; 98: 266–74. 9 Kearney PM, Baigent C, Godwin J, Halls H, Emberson JR, Patrono C. Do selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors and traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory dru...