NEW NSAIDS AND GASTRODUODENAL DAMAGE

Two isoforms of cyclooxygenase (COX) are described: COX-1 is a constit utive enzyme and is widely expressed in most tissues, COX-2 is an indu cible enzyme and is abundant throughout the gastrointestinal tract, Ex pression of COX-2 can be induced locally by inflammatory stimuli and a ppears coincident with local prostaglandin (PG) production. Currently available non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely use d for the treatment of inflammatory diseases; however, significant sid e-effects due to inhibition of COX-1 limit their use. Inhibitors of CO X-2 are as active as non-selective NSAIDs and inhibit PG synthesis in inflammatory cells, In contrast to other NSAIDs, selective COX-2 inhib itors do not cause ulcers in the stomach or intestine.