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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

expression, activity, inhibition, canine cyclooxygenase, COX, NSAIDS

College

Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Abstract

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) exhibit their effect by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. However, inhibition of both COX-1 and COX-2 by the administration of NSAIDs to both humans and animals often leads to negative side effects, most commonly gastric toxicity, including ulcers, which may progress to perforation with risk of sepsis. Functional COX-1 and COX-2 are both necessary to maintain the integrity of the gastrointestinal lining. Fueled by the discovery of COX-2 and the elucidation of its biological properties, new NSAIDs have been produced that selectively inhibit only COX-2. This new class of inhibitors effectively reduces pain and inflammation with decreased side effects. COX-2 selective drugs such as celecoxib and refecoxib are now widely used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis in humans.

Included in

Chemistry Commons

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