New COX-2 Research
An article appeared on Forbes.com yesterday concerning the data from new cox-2 inhibitor research. A Journal of Clinical Investigation study focused research on two Cyclooxegenase-2 (cox-2) derived compounds, referred to as PGI2 and PGE2. The production of these two compounds is “inhibited” when a cox-2 specific medication – like Vioxx, Celebrex, or Bextra – is taken for pain and inflammation.
Apparently PGI2 and PGE2 are: “thought to help maintain cardiovascular health by preventing platelets in blood vessels from clumping together.” Hence the heightened risk of heart attack when taking a cox-2 medication. The researchers studied PGI2 and PGE2 in an attempt to determine which of the two compounds was paramount in this increased risk.
Through the study of genetically engineered mice, the researchers determined the “depression of cox-2-dependent PGI2″ was the “biochemical culprit.” In the PGE2 portion of the research, the focus was directed on the enzyme microsomal PGE synthase-1 (mPGES-1), which “works as a partner with cox-2 in the biosynthesis of PGE2.” It was determined “that inhibiting mPGES-1 suppressed PGE2 (just as cox-2 medications do) while increasing PGI2 to heart-healthy levels had no measurable effect on either blood pressure or clotting in the treated mice.”
So, get ready folks. There is another medication soon to be rushed through all the appropriate channels…bye bye cox-2 inhibitor, hello mPGES-1 inhibitor. A new wave of promotional pens, golf tees, and other big-pharma chattel will be popping up in no time (and we wonder why medication is so expensive…).
In the article, an expert on cox-2 medication stated: “the safety and efficacy of ‘mPGES-1 inhibitor’ drugs is in its infancy, and it will be many years before consumers see these medications available in pharmacies — if ever.” It will be interesting to see how quickly big-pharma runs this race.
Of course, a naproxen / proton pump cocktail is recommended in the meantime to relieve pain and inflammation with diminished GI risk – the former duty of the cox-2 inhibitors.
Interestingly enough, a University of Texas SW Medical Center study published in The Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found InflammEnz, a high-potency proteolytic enzyme based supplement, was incredibly effective in relieving inflammation. The study reported InflammEnz relieved inflammation, and actually accelerated healing time by two to three days – this happened in 77% of the subjects studied.
Why don’t the experts recommend InflammEnz as a cox-2 alternative for inflammation?
Not enough pens and golf tees, I guess…
