Pain relief
The enzyme Cox-2 mediates inflammatory pain at sites of injury. Two studies now show that local inflammation can also cause pain in neighbouring areas by upregulating Cox-2 expression in the central nervous system.
Mar 25, 2001
The enzyme Cox-2 (cyclooxygenase-2), released at sites of inflammation, stimulates the production of prostaglandin E2, which promotes a region of localized hypersensitivity surrounding the injury. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are thought to give pain relief by targeting Cox-2 at sites of inflammation. But two studies published in 22 March
Tarek Samad, of the Massachusetts General Hospital, and co-workers observed that local inflammation in the rat paw led to a generalized increase in Cox-2 mRNA expression in spinal cord neurons and in other areas of the CNS (