title: [Role of cyclooxygenase-2 in the pathogenesis of chronic liver diseases].
abstract: Cyclooxygenase (COX) is a crucial enzyme in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins. There are two COX isoforms: COX-1 is constitutively expressed in a number of cell types and is involved in the homeostatic functions of prostaglandins, whereas COX-2 is inducible by a variety of proinflammatory stimuli, such as cytokines and lipopolysaccharide. In the liver, COX-2 and prostaglandins production has been implicated in hepatic regeneration, liver matrix remodeling and portal hypertension. In animal models of alcoholic-induced liver disease has been demonstrated its relation with necro-inflammatory activity. In viral hepatitis, hepatocellular COX-2 expression was observed and associated with fibrosis progression. More interestingly it has been the demonstration of COX-2 role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma, such in experimental models as in human samples. It has also been demonstrated that COX-2 was implicated in carcinogenesis through apoptosis inhibition and increased proliferation of human tumor cells. Experimental evidences show that selective pharmacologic inhibition of COX-2 could be useful in chemoprevention of primary liver tumors.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Hepatología Clínica-Experimental y Trasplante Hepático, Unidad Funcional Interhospitalaria Gregorio Marañón-Santa Cristina, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Núñez Martínez
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Clemente Ricote
authors.forename: Carmelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: García Monzón
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000502:physiology*; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000502:physiology*; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007527:Isoenzymes; D011453:Prostaglandins; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases