We assessed the -765G>C polymorphism and COX-2 expression in 220 asymptomatic subjects free ofcardiovascular disease, in relation to global vascular risk, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), and inflammatory markers (fibrinogen, C-reactive protein [CRP], von Willebrand factor [vWF] and interleukin-6 [IL-6]).
We sought to determine if variants in the COX-2 gene were associated with subclinical measures of cardiovascular disease in a primarily type 2 diabetic population.
Given the cardiovascular hazard of a COX-2 inhibitor, our findings indicate that the EP3 receptor and its downstream pathways may be potential targets for prevention of TCDD-associated cardiovascular diseases.
This work also warrants an evaluation of high-dose aspirin and COX-2 inhibitor therapy in sufferers of inflammatory conditions who are already at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.-Khan, S. I., Shihata, W. A., Andrews, K. L., Lee, M. K. S., Moore, X.-L., Jefferis, A.-M., Vinh, A., Gaspari, T., Dragoljevic, D., Jennings, G. L., Murphy, A. J., Chin-Dusting, J. P. F. Effects of high- and low-dose aspirin on adaptive immunity and hypertension in the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat.