Abstract
Cyclooxygenase (COX), also known as prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase, is the key enzyme required for the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. Two COX isoforms have been identified, COX-1 and COX-2. In many situations, the COX-1 enzyme is produced constitutively (e.g., in gastric mucosa), whereas COX-2 is highly inducible (e.g., at sites of inflammation and cancer). Traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit both enzymes, and a new class of COX-2 selective inhibitors (COXIBs) preferentially inhibit the COX-2 enzyme. This review summarizes our current understanding of the role of COX-1 and COX-2 in normal physiology and disease.
MeSH terms
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / adverse effects
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
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Clinical Trials as Topic
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Cyclooxygenase 1
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Cyclooxygenase 2
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Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
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Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / adverse effects
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Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
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Humans
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Inflammation / drug therapy*
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Inflammation / enzymology
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Isoenzymes / antagonists & inhibitors*
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Membrane Proteins
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Neoplasms / drug therapy*
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Neoplasms / enzymology
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Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases
Substances
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
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Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
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Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors
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Isoenzymes
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Membrane Proteins
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Cyclooxygenase 1
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Cyclooxygenase 2
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PTGS1 protein, human
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PTGS2 protein, human
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Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases