Mucosal Repair and COX-2 Inhibition

Title: Mucosal Repair and COX-2 Inhibition

Volume: 9 Issue: 27

Author(s): Rafael F. Perini, Li Ma and John L. Wallace

Affiliation:

Keywords: ulcer healing, angiogenesis, cyclooxygenase, prostaglandin, endothelium, platelets

Abstract: The healing of gastric ulcer is a complicated process that involves the proliferation of epithelial and endothelial cells and the concerted actions of a wide range of growth factors. Prostaglandins play an important role in ulcer healing. Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is markedly upregulated around the margins of gastric ulcers and its inhibition leads to a delay of ulcer healing. Several of the growth factors that promote ulcer healing may work in part through COX- 2-dependent mechanisms. Angiogenesis, which is crucial to ulcer healing, is tightly regulated by growth factors. Treatment with selective COX-2 inhibitors appears to alter the balance of serum levels of growth factors, favoring an inhibition of angiogenesis. Given the importance of COX-2 in regulating ulcer healing, caution should be taken in the use of selective inhibitors of COX-2 by patients at risk of ulcer disease.

Cite this article as:

Perini F. Rafael, Ma Li and Wallace L. John, Mucosal Repair and COX-2 Inhibition, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2003; 9 (27) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612033454027