Special Issue "Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs"

Guest Editor
Prof. Dr. Jane McHowat
Department of Pathology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Doisy Research Building, 1100 S Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
E-Mail:
Interests: The role of the endothelium in platelet-activating factor production and transendothelial cell migration of inflammatory cells.

Dear Colleagues,

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most commonly used drugs worldwide and are an important class of drugs used to treat inflammatory conditions. NSAIDs are used to treat pain and inflammation in a variety of conditions and produce their effect by inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX). A major drawback of NSAID use is the high incidence of gastrointestinal side effects, which lead to the development of the selective COX-2 inhibitors in the 1990s. In spite of the advances in NSAID development over the past few years, the availability of a safe, effective and economical agent to alleviate inflammatory conditions is still elusive.

Prof. Dr. Jane McHowat
Guest Editor

Submission

All manuscripts should be submitted to pharmaceuticals@mdpi.com with a copy to the Guest Editor. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. Papers will be published continuously (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are refereed through a peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed Open Access monthly journal published by MDPI.

• inflammation
• arachidonic acid
• prostaglandins
• leukotrienes
• phospholipase A2

Manuscript ID: Pharmaceuticals-NSAID-20091117-De Cosmo-it
Type of Paper: Review
Title: Role of Conventional Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Cyclo-Oxygenase-2-Specific Inhibitors in the Treatment of Postoperative Pain
Authors: Germano De Cosmo; E-Mail: gdecosmo@rm.unicatt.it
Abstract: Adequate management of postoperative pain is crucial not only for the best patient comfort and satisfaction but also to improve patient recovery, provide an early mobilization and reduce the length of hospital stay. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used alone for the treatment of mild to moderate pain associated with minor surgical procedures, and as part of a multimodal therapy for pain associated to major surgical procedures. However, in recent years in order to avoid side effects of conventional NSAIDs, new drugs with selective inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX 2) have been introduced. The purpose of this paper is to critically review the most recent literature regarding the use of the conventional NSAIDs and COX2 inhibitors in the treatment of acute postoperative pain.

Type of Paper: Review
Title: A Comprehensive Review of Injectable Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs: Where Are We in 2010?
Authors: Mary Gauthier-Lewis, Conchetta White-Fulton and Treavor Riley
Affiliation: ULM College of Pharmacy, Baton Rouge Campus, Pharmacy Practice, (Critical Care) , LSU Health Sciences Center, Earl K Long Medical Center 3849, North Blvd (Room 218) Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806, USA; E-Mail: mlewis7@lsuhsc.edu
Abstract: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) remain one of the most frequently prescribed classes of medications despite their gastrointestinal, renal, cerebrovascular, and cardiovascular risks. These pharmacological agents are used primarily for their anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic properties. NSAIDs exhibit these effects via inhibition of cyclocoxygenases (COXs). Selecting an appropriate NSAID for subsets of patients is an ongoing challenge for clinicians despite the availability of guidelines. The emphasis of this article is to comprehensively review the literature for presenting evidence for the injectable acetic acid derivative NSAIDs ((Ibuprofen and Ketorolac) with a focus on risks versus benefits secondary to adverse events.

Type of Paper: Review
Title: What Have We Learned about Neuroinflammation in Neurological Dysfunction?
Authors: Amy H. Moore et al.
Affiliation: Department of Biology, Carleton College, One North College Street, Northfield, MN 55057, USA; E-Mail: amoore@carleton.edu
Abstract: Inflammation is a common component of neurological disease and disorder. Increasing attention has been devoted to understanding the benefits and costs of the innate neuroinflammatory response to functional recovery following brain insult or pathology onset. This review will provide an update on the efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) treatment in recent clinical trials and experimental animal models of neurodegenerative disease. Particular focus will be devoted to the impact of NSAIDs on cognitive performance, highlighting the contribution of neuroinflammatory-related molecules to normal mnemonic processes.

Type of Paper: Review
Title: Critical Overview on the Benefits and Harms of Aspirin
Authors: Y.K. Loke and C.S. Kwok
Affiliation: University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK; E-Mail: Y.Loke@uea.ac.uk
Abstract: Aspirin is widely used internationally for a variety of indications, with the most prominent one being that of cardiovascular disease. However, aspirin has also been proposed as a treatment option in a diverse range of conditions such as atrial fibrillation, venous thromboembolism, cancer prevention, and prophylaxis of miscarriages in susceptible women. In our overview, we critically appraise the current evidence from existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses covering the benefits of aspirin across these conditions. Aspirin is also associated with the potential for significant harm, principally from peptic ulcer and haemorrhagic adverse events. We critically appraise the threat of gastrointestinal complications and cerebral haemorrhage, and weigh up these risks against that of any potential benefit.

Type of Paper: Review
Title: Central Nervous System Actions of NSAIDs
Authors: Parto S Khansari, Leanne Coyne and Robert F Halliwell
Affiliation: California Northstate College of Pharmacy, Rancho Cordova, CA, USA
Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, USA; E-Mail: rhalliwell@PACIFIC.EDU (F.H.)
Abstract: Inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) isoenzymes is the primary effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) in the human body and the reason for their extensive use in the treatment of pain and inflammatory disorders. However, NSAID’s are a diverse group of agents with some possessing unique pharmacological properties in addition to COX inhibition. Recent data indicate that COX and non-COX actions may contribute to the efficacy of NSAID’s in the treatment of several neurological diseases including stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy. The purpose of this review is to explore the pharmacology of NSAID’s in relation to their current uses and their potential value in the treatment of neurological conditions in the future.