Cyclooxygenase isoforms in health and disease

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) have long been used for the treatment of pain and inflammation owing to their inhibitory effects on cyclooxygenase (COX). Ever since NSAIDs have been in use, multiple adverse effects have been noted. Assessment of many of these effects has been complicated due to the discovery of multiple splice variants of the COX gene, greater array of COX and specific COX-2 inhibitor availability. The effect of these drugs on COX cannot be readily explained. This has sparked a new field of investigation on splice variants of COX and effects of COX inhibitors. This review summarizes our current understanding of the role of cyclooxygenase in health and disease.