title: COX-2 and the kidney.
abstract: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for the treatment of pain and inflammation. Nonselective NSAIDs inhibit both cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2. Nephrotoxicity of nonselective NSAIDs has been well documented. The effects of selective COX-2 inhibitors on renal function and blood pressure are attracting increasing attention. In the kidney, COX-2 is constitutively expressed and is highly regulated in response to alterations in intravascular volume. COX-2 metabolites have been implicated in the mediation of renin release, regulation of sodium excretion, and maintenance of renal blood flow. Similar to nonselective NSAIDs, inhibition of COX-2 may cause edema and modest elevations in blood pressure in a minority of subjects. COX-2 inhibitors may also exacerbate preexisting hypertension or interfere with other antihypertensive drugs. Occasional acute renal failure has also been reported. Caution should be taken when COX-2 inhibitors are prescribed, especially in high-risk patients (including elderly patients and patients with volume depletion).
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. ray.harris@vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: Raymond C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D012083:Renin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D012083:Renin