Cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors and COPD: a bright spot?
- Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Correspondence to:
Dr R M Effros
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA90502-2064, USA; reffroslabiomed.org
Usefulness of exhaled breath condensate for following inflammatory events in the lungs
Before the recent publication of reports linking cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors with myocardial infarction,1 there was strong evidence that this popular group of analgesics does not have the respiratory complications of non-specific anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).2 These side effects of the NSAIDs are relatively common (10–20% of asthmatics) and potentially very serious. Patients experience increased inflammation of the sinuses, nasal polyposis, and severe and potentially fatal airway obstruction. It was postulated that NSAIDs reduce production of prostaglandins that protect the airways and increase synthesis of cysteinyl leukotrienes such as leukotriene B4 (LTB4) which aggravate inflammation. The clinical observation that the COX-2 drugs are safe in this respect suggests that inhibition of the COX-1 enzymes is the …
