title: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Brain Inflammation: Effects on Microglial Functions.
abstract: The term NSAID refers to structurally diverse chemical compounds that share the ability to inhibit the activity of the prostaglandin (PG) biosynthetic enzymes, the cyclooxygenase (COX) isoforms 1 and 2. The suppression of PG synthesis at sites of inflammation has been regarded as primarily responsible for the beneficial properties of NSAIDs, but several COX-independent effects have been described in recent years. Epidemiological studies indicate that NSAIDs are neuroprotective, although the mechanisms underlying their beneficial effect remain largely unknown. Microglial cells play a major role in brain inflammation and are often viewed as major contributors to the neurodegeneration. Therefore, microglia represent a likely target for NSAIDs within the brain. In the present review, we focused on the direct effects of NSAIDs and selective COX-2 inhibitors on microglial functions and discuss the potential efficacy in controlling brain inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Neurology Section, Department of Cell Biology and Neurosciences, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy. mariaantonietta.ajmone-cat@iss.it.
authors.forename: Maria Antonietta
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ajmone-Cat
authors.affiliation: Experimental Neurology Section, Department of Cell Biology and Neurosciences, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy. antonietta.bernardo@iss.it.
authors.forename: Antonietta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bernardo
authors.affiliation: Experimental Neurology Section, Department of Cell Biology and Neurosciences, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy. anita.greco@iss.it.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.affiliation: Experimental Neurology Section, Department of Cell Biology and Neurosciences, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy. luisa.minghetti@iss.it.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Minghetti
keywords: NSAIDs; PPAR- γ; brain; cyclooxygenase; microglia; neuroprotection; transcription factors