Effect of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor (celecoxib) on the infarcted heart in situ

Several attempts have been made to replace aspirin with compounds without gastric toxicity; a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, celecoxib, and a nitric oxide-aspirin, NCX-4016, have been developed for this purpose, This paper compares effects of celecoxib, NCX-4016 and aspirin on production of prostacyclin (PGI(2)) and thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)) and activation of the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (INOS) in infarcted heart in situ. Aspirin was most effective in reducing myocardial PGI(2) synthesis and formation of TXA(2). Myocardial effects of celecoxib resemble those of NCX-4016, although the two compounds have different modes of action. Copyright (C) 2001 S.Karger AG, Basel.