title: Eicosanoids and the vascular endothelium.
abstract: Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes catalyse the biotransformation of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins which subserve important functions in cardiovascular homeostasis. Prostacyclin (PGI2) and prostaglandin (PG)E2, dominant products of COX activityin macro- and microvascular endothelial cells, respectively, in vitro, modulate the interaction of blood cells with the vasculature and contribute to the regulation of blood pressure. COXs are the target for inhibition by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs--which include those selective for COX-2) and for aspirin. Modulation of the interaction between COX products of the vasculature and platelets underlies both the cardioprotection afforded by aspirin and the cardiovascular hazard which characterises specific inhibitors of COX-2.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 153 Johnson Pavilion, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Egan
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: FitzGerald
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D015777:Eicosanoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000378:metabolism; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007535:Isomerases / Q000378:metabolism; D015230:Prostaglandin D2 / Q000378:metabolism; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000378:metabolism*; D044006:Receptors, Epoprostenol; D011982:Receptors, Prostaglandin / Q000378:metabolism; D044244:Receptors, Thromboxane A2, Prostaglandin H2 / Q000378:metabolism; D020521:Stroke / Q000139:chemically induced; D013928:Thromboxane A2 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D015777:Eicosanoids; C113936:PTGIR protein, human; D044006:Receptors, Epoprostenol; D011982:Receptors, Prostaglandin; D044244:Receptors, Thromboxane A2, Prostaglandin H2; D013928:Thromboxane A2; D011464:Epoprostenol; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D007535:Isomerases; C022465:prostaglandin isomerases; D015230:Prostaglandin D2