COX-1 Antibody

Cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) is responsible for formation of important biological mediators called prostanoids, including prostaglandins, prostacyclin and thromboxane. Classical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) inhibit COX-1 and COX-2, which reduces inflammation and induces an an analgesic effect. The non-slelective pharmacological inhibition of COX-1 has been shown to be a main cause of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract irritation associated with classical NSAIDS as the prostaglandins produced by COX-1 are involved in the maintenance of gastric mucosa. Newer generation anti-inflammatory drugs which selectively inhibit COX-2 have been shown to have minimal GI tract irritation.