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                                    Eicosanoids
                                    are oxidized derivatives of the polyunsaturated long-chain fatty acids, arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic
                                    acid, that serve many roles in cardiovascular biology and disease. They are a class of oxygenated, endogenous,
                                    unsaturated fatty acids derived from arachidonic acid.  They are hormone like substances that act near
                                    the site of synthesis without altering functions throughout the body.  Eicosanoid biosynthesis can be initiated by release of arachidonic acid
                                    from membrane phospholipids by lipases (predominantly of the phospholipase A2 type) (Figure 1). Once mobilized, arachidonic acid is oxygenated into eicosanoids
                                    along the following 4 pathways: (1) prostaglandin (PG) endoperoxide synthase (cyclooxygenase [COX]),
                                    (2) lipoxygenase (LO), (3) P450 epoxygenase, and (4) (nonenzymatic) isoprostane synthesis. Details of the pharmacology
                                    of products of the LO, epoxygenase, and isoprostane pathways, as well as the lipoxins, are reviewed elsewhere.14–16 Here, we focus on products of the COX pathway. These
                                    derivatives of arachidonic acid are collectively referred to as prostanoids and comprise the PGs and
                                    thromboxanes. COX, a key enzyme in eicosanoid metabolism, converts arachidonic acid liberated from membrane
                                    phospholipids into PGG2 and PGH2. 
                                      
                                    WHY COX-2 INHIBITION CAUSES CARDIAC EVENTS:  Inhibition of COX-2 also has as a theoretical side effect an increase in
                                    the flux of arachidonate through the LO pathways, which may be especially important in the
                                    setting of inflammation in the atheromatous plaque. The
                                    12-,15-, and 5-LOs all have key roles in inflammation, and the role of each in atherosclerosis has been
                                    examined.  [Inflammation’s role in development of atheromatous plaque was reported in Scientific American
                                    in 1978—jk]  Although 12-LO and 15-LO appear to contribute to
                                    LDL oxidation, the data supporting the proatherogenic role of these enzymes are inconsistent.39 Data suggest that 15-LO products may be antiinflammatory.40 Furthermore, work from Serhan’s group shows that acetylation
                                    of COX-2 by low-dose aspirin leads to its biosynthesis of 15R-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid.40 This intermediate is then converted by transcellular metabolism
                                    to the antiinflammatory lipoxin 15-epi-lipoxin A4 in leukocytes.41 
                                    Mehrabian and colleagues42 have demonstrated convincingly that 5-LO is a critical determinant
                                    of atherogenesis in mouse models of the disease, even in the setting of profound hypercholesterolemia. The
                                    inflammatory eicosanoids derived from increased 5-LO expression in plaque–leukotriene B4 and the
                                    cysteinyl-leukotrienes–are active in the atherothrombotic vasculature, having been shown to promote
                                    inflammatory cell activation, cell proliferation, and vasoconstriction. In human subjects, Dwyer and colleagues43 showed that variant 5-LO genotypes–tandem
                                    promoter repeats of Sp-1 binding motifs–identify a subpopulation of individuals with increased
                                    atherosclerosis (determined as carotid intima-media thickness). Helgadottir and colleagues44 showed that a promoter haplotype comprising 4 linked
                                    polymorphisms in the 5-LO activating peptide (an accessory protein that facilitates presentation of
                                    substrate arachidonate to 5-LO) confers an approximately 2-fold increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and
                                    stroke in an Icelandic population. Thus, the potential importance of shifting the flux of arachidonate
                                    through the LO pathway by inhibiting COX activity bears consideration as we attempt to dissect the vascular
                                    consequences of coxib use.  
                                    To appreciate the complexity of interactions among the small-molecule
                                    vascular mediators in the system, we also need to consider nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion. NO activates
                                    prostacyclin synthase and suppresses thromboxane synthase, likely by nitrosylating bound heme.45 In addition, NO potentiates the vascular effects of prostacyclin,
                                    likely via the cGMP-dependent inhibition of cAMP phosphodiesterase.46 This potentiation of prostacyclin by NO has also been demonstrated
                                    to account for the synergistic inhibition of platelets by these vascular effectors.47,48 Niwano and colleagues49 have shown that a stable prostacyclin analogue (beraprost) increases
                                    endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression by activating a cAMP-dependent transcriptional element in the eNOS
                                    promoter. In the setting of an inflammatory stimulus that induces expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and
                                    a source of superoxide [such as NAD(P)H oxidase], peroxynitrite generation ensues and leads to 3-nitration
                                    of tyrosine 430 in prostacyclin synthase, inactivating the enzyme,50,51 and activation of the TxA2 receptor TP.50 TxA2, in turn, induces gp91phox expression and
                                    NAD(P)H oxidase–dependent superoxide generation,52 increasing oxidant stress in the inflamed vasculature.
                                    NO derived from iNOS also increases expression and activity of COX-2.53,28 In addition, other inflammatory mediators may modulate
                                    these interactions; eg, evidence suggests that C-reactive protein decreases prostacyclin release from
                                    endothelial cells.54  
                                    Consideration of these interactions is essential for understanding
                                    the full spectrum of activities of COX-2–dependent eicosanoid synthesis in the context of their interaction
                                    with NO. For example, COX-2 not only has been recognized as a key source of prostacyclin under normal
                                    laminar flow conditions in the vasculature but also is cardioprotective in ischemia-reperfusion injury55 and has antiproliferative effects toward vascular smooth muscle
                                    cells in conjunction with NO.56 NO can also inhibit 5-LO, likely by peroxynitrite-dependent
                                    S-nitrosation and/or 3-nitrotyrosination.57,58 Induction of iNOS by endotoxin leads to inhibition
                                    of 5-LO activity without an effect on expression,59 likely via a peroxynitrite-dependent mechanism.
                                     
                                    The interrelationships among COX-2, 5-LO, and NO in the endothelium
                                    can best be analyzed when considered under 2 sets of conditions: in the normal state of laminar flow and
                                    in an inflammatory state (Figure 5). Under normal conditions, laminar flow induces COX-2 in the
                                    endothelial cell to promote the synthesis of prostacyclin, and stimulates elaboration of NO by eNOS. NO derived
                                    from eNOS, in turn, stimulates prostacyclin synthase activity and suppresses thromboxane synthase activity;
                                    NO also activates guanylyl cyclase to increase cGMP and acts synergistically with prostacyclin to increase
                                    cAMP levels in target cells (eg, platelets). Taken together, the net effect of these actions is to impair platelet
                                    activation, as summarized in Figure 4 (left) and Figure 5A.  
                                    In states of vascular inflammation, COX-2, iNOS, and NAD(P)H oxidase
                                    are induced in endothelial cells; these enzymes, together with 5-LO, are also expressed in inflammatory leukocytes.
                                    High-flux production of NO (from iNOS) together with superoxide anion [from NAD(P)H oxidase, COXs, LOs,
                                    and uncoupled NO synthases, among other sources] leads to the synthesis of peroxynitrite (OONO–),
                                    which inhibits prostacyclin synthase, activates TP-dependent signaling, and promotes additional COX-2 activity.
                                    The COX pathways also promote NAD(P)H oxidase activation via TxA2,33 whereas 5-LO promotes NAD(P)H oxidase activation via leukotriene
                                    B460 and the cysteinyl-leukotrienes. Moreover, PGE2, the
                                    synthesis of which is enhanced by COX2-derived PGH2 owing to kinetic selectivity and compartmentalization,61 promotes platelet activation by increasing intraplatelet calcium
                                    flux and decreasing cAMP via its interaction with the platelet surface EP3 receptor.62 (For a review of the effects of NO-derived reactive nitrogen
                                    species in inflammatory states on COXs, LOs, and peroxidases, see Coffey and colleagues.63) Taken together, the net effect of these actions is to promote
                                    platelet activation, as summarized in Figure 4 (right) and Figure 5B.  
                                    We can use the models shown in Figures 4 and 5 to construct working hypotheses about the use of coxibs in the
                                    normal state and in states of vascular inflammation. Central to this model is the balance between prostacyclin
                                    (PGI2) and thromboxane A2 in normal and diseased vessels.27,64,65 The use of a coxib under normal (ie, noninflammatory) conditions
                                    would be expected to have limited effects on platelet activation in that NO production by eNOS is relatively
                                    unimpaired, and COX-1–dependent generation of prostacyclin would still be maintained. In contrast, the
                                    use of a coxib in vascular inflammatory states would lead to a decrease in antithrombotic prostacyclin made by
                                    arachidonate flux through COX-2 and would, therefore, make available more arachidonate for leukotriene
                                    synthesis. Leukotrienes, especially leukotriene B4 and the cysteinyl-leukotrienes, would increase
                                    reactive oxygen species generation by leukocytes, especially superoxide, thereby consuming antithrombotic
                                    NO through the synthesis of peroxynitrite. Peroxynitrite, in turn, would further limit prostacyclin
                                    synthesis via synthase nitration.47 Coxibs may also increase reactive oxygen species generation
                                    via uncoupling of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.66 Thus, the net result of coxib action in diseased vessels is
                                    an increase in the amount of TxA2 relative to PGI2 (see Figure 4).  
                                    In addition to the considerations at the molecular level discussed
                                    above, it should be noted that manipulation of the relative balance of COX-1 and COX-2 activity may alter
                                    important cardiorenal responses in patients.19 COX-1 and COX-2 are colocalized in the macula densa. In elderly
                                    patients or under conditions of sodium or fluid depletion, selective COX-2 inhibitors cause sodium retention
                                    and may result in edema formation.67 Administration of COX-2 inhibitors has also been associated
                                    with a reduction in glomerular filtration rate and exacerbation of hypertension.68–70 Increases in blood pressure have been proposed as
                                    a mechanism by which COX-2 inhibitors may promote an increased risk of cardiovascular events.71  
                                    {Given that the effects of the COX-2 would increase with
                                    time, since antheorsclorsis is accumulative, and COX-2 were often proscribed for chronic conditions such as arthritis, the
                                    risk increase for such long-term treatments would be much greater than the 1.5 increase of 340%. For the APC trail—jk].   
                                    Additional information bearing on the issue of cardiovascular risk
                                    comes from the Therapeutic Arthritis Research and Gastrointestinal Event Trial (TARGET), which compared the most
                                    selective coxib, lumiracoxib (see Figure 2), 400 mg once daily with either naproxen 500 mg twice daily
                                    or ibuprofen 800 mg 3 times daily for 1 year in 18 000 patients with osteoarthritis.86 Low-dose aspirin (75 to 100 mg daily) was permitted
                                    in TARGET. There were only 109 cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events reported, of which 59 (0.65%)
                                    occurred in the lumiracoxib group and 50 (0.55%) occurred in the NSAID groups (hazard ratio, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.78
                                    to 1.66; P=0.51). Although these findings might be interpreted as showing that lumiracoxib is as safe
                                    as either naproxen or ibuprofen, in the absence of a placebo group, the results are also consistent
                                    with the possibility that all 3 drugs are associated with increased risk of events with little difference among them.  
                                    The next major event in this rapidly evolving story occurred on
                                    April 7, 2005.87 The FDA concluded that the overall risk-to-benefit profile
                                    for valdecoxib was unfavorable and that valdecoxib lacked any demonstrable advantage compared with other NSAIDs.
                                    The agency requested that Pfizer voluntarily withdraw valdecoxib from the market, which Pfizer agreed
                                    to do. While permitting celecoxib to remain on the market, the FDA requested revision to the labeling of celecoxib and 18 other nonselective NSAIDs to highlight the
                                    increased risk for cardiovascular events and stated that all NSAID prescriptions must be accompanied by a
                                    medication guide to inform patients. In support of this decision by the FDA is a
                                    report from a registry experience in Denmark of 10 280 cases
                                    of first-time hospitalization for MI and 102 797 controls.88 Current and new users of all classes of non-aspirin
                                    NSAIDs had elevated RR estimates for MI.   [Only
                                    aspirin has been shown to lower cardiac risk, which is why it has been widely proscribed for years in low doses for exactly
                                    that prupose—jk] 
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                                    Blood Clots the second cause of increased heart attacks 
                                      
                                    Goodman & Gilman, 11th Ed.(684):  “Selective inhibition of COX-2 depress PGI-2 formation by endothelial
                                    cells without concomitant inhibition of platelet thromboxane.  Experiments in
                                    mice suggest that PGI-2 restrains the cardiovascular effects of TXA-2, affording a mechanism by which selective inhibitors
                                    might increase the risk of thrombosis (McAdam et al, 19999, Catella-Lawson et al., 1999). 
                                    This mechanism should pertain to individuals otherwise at risk of thrombosis, such as those with rheumatoid arthritis,
                                    as the relative risk of myocardial infraction is increased in these patients compared to patients with osteoarthritis or no
                                    arthritis.”  {Patients who would be taking long-term COX-2 inhibitors.  However, the study, which took theory into reality, was not of that group, but rather
                                    a test to see if it reduced the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.  At 16 months
                                    the study was stopped because of a 2.5 increase in myocardial infraction, and 3.4 at the higher dose.}  
                                      
                                      
                                    and from 
                                    Medical Journal of Australia, MJA 2004; 181 (10): 524-525 
                                    Journal of the Australian Medial
                                    Association, Established 1914 
                                      
                                    The coxibs (COX-2-selective
                                    NSAIDs) do not inhibit production of platelet thromboxane (a potent platelet agonist and vasoconstrictor), but selectively
                                    suppress endothelial prostacyclin (an intrinsic vasodilator and platelet inhibitor).  It has been hypothesised that selective inhibition of prostacyclin production by coxibs without concomitant
                                    platelet inhibition leads to thrombosis in at-risk individuals 
                                     
                                     
                                  
                                 
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