Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Brain Inflammation: Effects on Microglial Functions

Pharmaceuticals

Maria Antonietta Ajmone-Cat¹  Antonietta Bernardo¹  Anita Greco¹ 

[1] Experimental Neurology Section, Department of Cell Biology and Neurosciences, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy;

关键词: brain;    cyclooxygenase;    microglia;    neuroprotection;    NSAIDs;    PPAR-γ;    transcription factors;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ph3061949

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

The term NSAID refers to structurally diverse chemical compounds that share the ability to inhibit the activity of the prostaglandin (PG) biosynthetic enzymes, the cyclooxygenase (COX) isoforms 1 and 2. The suppression of PG synthesis at sites of inflammation has been regarded as primarily responsible for the beneficial properties of NSAIDs, but several COX-independent effects have been described in recent years. Epidemiological studies indicate that NSAIDs are neuroprotective, although the mechanisms underlying their beneficial effect remain largely unknown. Microglial cells play a major role in brain inflammation and are often viewed as major contributors to the neurodegeneration. Therefore, microglia represent a likely target for NSAIDs within the brain. In the present review, we focused on the direct effects of NSAIDs and selective COX-2 inhibitors on microglial functions and discuss the potential efficacy in controlling brain inflammation.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2010 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.