Role of cyclooxygenase-2 in the pathogenesis of chronic liver diseases

• Published in: Medicina clínica Vol. 121; no. 19; p. 743
• Main Authors: Núñez Martínez, Oscar, Clemente Ricote, Gerardo, García Monzón, Carmelo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Spain 29.11.2003
• Subjects: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - pharmacology; Chronic Disease; Cyclooxygenase 2; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors - pharmacology; Isoenzymes - physiology; Liver - enzymology; Liver - pathology; Liver Diseases - enzymology; Liver Diseases - pathology; Liver Diseases - therapy; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases - physiology; Prostaglandins - metabolism
• DOI: 10.1016/S0025-7753(03)74082-2
• ISSN: 0025-7753

Cyclooxygenase (COX) is a crucial enzyme in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins. There are two COX isoforms: COX-1 is constitutively expressed in a number of cell types and is involved in the homeostatic functions of prostaglandins, whereas COX-2 is inducible by a variety of proinflammatory stimuli, such as cytokines and lipopolysaccharide. In the liver, COX-2 and prostaglandins production has been implicated in hepatic regeneration, liver matrix remodeling and portal hypertension. In animal models of alcoholic-induced liver disease has been demonstrated its relation with necro-inflammatory activity. In viral hepatitis, hepatocellular COX-2 expression was observed and associated with fibrosis progression. More interestingly it has been the demonstration of COX-2 role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma, such in experimental models as in human samples. It has also been demonstrated that COX-2 was implicated in carcinogenesis through apoptosis inhibition and increased proliferation of human tumor cells. Experimental evidences show that selective pharmacologic inhibition of COX-2 could be useful in chemoprevention of primary liver tumors.