Cox-2: Where are we in 2003? - The role of cyclooxygenase-2 in bone repair.
Prostaglandins are important mediators of bone repair, and cyclooxygenases are required for prostaglandin production. Data from animal studies suggest that both non-specific and specific inhibitors of cyclooxygenases impair fracture healing but that this is due to the inhibition of COX-2 and not COX-1. Although these data raise concerns about the use of COX-2-specific inhibitors as anti-inflammatory or anti-analgesic drugs in patients undergoing bone repair, clinical reports have been inconclusive. Because animal data suggest that the effects of COX-2 inhibitors are both dose-dependent and reversible, in the absence of scientifically sound clinical evidence it is suggested that physicians consider short-term administration or other drugs in the management of these patients.
Einhorn
Thomas A
TA
Professor and Chairman, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051379:Mice; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases