Posted by Sarah T. on February 17, 2005, at 3:04:01
In reply to Re: Holy Basil » Sarah T., posted by Larry Hoover on February 15, 2005, at 8:59:04
Larry, thanks for the information. I read that the reason Vioxx, Bextra and Celebrex cause the increased incidence of strokes and heart attacks is that one of the prostaglandins that is produced by the COX-2 enzyme has some beneficial, protective effects in addition to its inflammatory properties. When the COX-2 enzyme is inhibited by the drugs, the prostaglandin known as prostaglandin I2 is not formed in sufficient amounts. Although prostaglandin I2 can cause inflammation, it also prevents damage to artery walls and prevents blood clots. Apparently all of the COX-2 inhibitors mentioned above inhibit the production of Prostaglandin I2 and, at present, there is no way to stop the inflammation caused by Prostaglandin I-2 without also blocking its protective effects.
poster:Sarah T.
thread:457419
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20050131/msgs/459170.html