The formation of new blood (angiogenesis) and lymphatic (lymphangiogenesis) vessels are major events associated with most epithelial malignancies, including breast cancer. Angiogenesis is essential for cancer cell survival. Lymphangiogenesis critical in maintaining tumoral interstitial fluid balance importing tumor-facilitatory immune cells. Both vascular routes also serve as conduits metastasi...

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) belong to the most frequently used drugs. The discovery of an inducible isoform of cyclo-oxygenase (COX-2) has led to an intensive worldwide search and the introduction of selective COX-2 inhibitors. In this review, recent advances in understanding the mechanism of action of NSAIDs and, in this context, clinical findings on NSAID-induced gastrointes...

Bradykinin (BK) is a mediator of inflammation in asthma with potent bronchoconstrictor actions. Endogenous release of nitric oxide may inhibit BK-induced bronchoconstriction. This study investigated whether bradykinin inhalation could modulate exhaled NO levels in normal and asthmatic subjects, and whether the bradykinin-induced effects were mediated through the production of cyclo-oxygenase pr...

The effects of arachidonic acid and thrombin on calcium movements have been studied in fura-2-loaded platelets by a procedure which allows simultaneous monitoring of the uptake of manganese, a calcium surrogate for Ca2+ channels, and the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. Arachidonic acid induced both Ca2+ (Mn2+) entry through the plasma membrane and Ca2+ release from the intracellular ...

Worldwide osteoarthritis (OA) affects more than 9.6% of men and 18% of women older that 60 years. Treatment for OA often requires chronic use of selective or nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which have been associated with gastrointestinal and cardiovascular complications. An increased risk for upper gastrointestinal bleeding with NSAIDs alone and when combined with l...

Worldwide osteoarthritis (OA) affects more than 9.6% of men and 18% of women older that 60 years. Treatment for OA often requires chronic use of selective or nonselective nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which have been associated with gastrointestinal and cardiovascular complications. An increased risk for upper gastrointestinal bleeding with NSAIDs alone and when combined with lo...

1 Gas chromatographic and radio-isotope labelling techniques have been used to establish the origin of the arachindonic acid used by the platelet cyclo-oxygenase for the synthesis of pro-aggregatory prostaglandin endoperoxide derivatives. 2 Measurements of total platelet arachidonate content indicated that more than 95% is esterified in the phosphatide fraction of the cells. 3 During aggregatio...

Platelet activation and aggregation are considered to be central to arterial thrombus formation. Antiplatelet therapy is therefore important for both the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Aspirin, the most widely used antiplatelet agent, inhibits platelet cyclo-oxygenase and the conversion of arachidonic acid to the potent platelet agonist thromboxane A(2) but does not prevent...