Hypothesis of cyclooxygenase isoenzymes / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

Nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most commonly used drugs in the world, but their use is limited because of their propensity to cause many severe adverse reactions. Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX 2) not only take part in inflammatory reaction, but also exert various physiological functions. Selective COX 2 inhibitors still have a series of adverse reactions. COX 3, a new COX cloned and expressed recently, can be inhibited selectively by acetaminophen and do not relate to inflammation. A hypothesis about COX family is assumed and seven isoforms are supposed in this article.