Since the discovery of the pharmacological and toxicological importance of inhibiting the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), much research has gone into the development of methods to study the biological functions of COX-1 and COX-2. In Cyclooxygenases: Methods and Protocols, experts and pioneers in the field present the most up-to-date in vitro and in vivo techniques routinely used in COX research. The volume delves into essential topics such as the purification, cloning, and expression of COX enzymes as well as in vitro assays aimed at determining the inhibitory potency of drugs on COX-1 and COX-2 activities, with chapters describing protocols used for the extraction and measurement of the prostanoids. This volume also describes in vivo disease models used to study the roles of COX-1 and COX-2 in gastrointestinal injury, inflammation, and pain. As a book in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series, the protocols chapters include brief introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Cyclooxygenases: Methods and Protocols serves as an indispensable tool for all scientists seeking the treatment of inflammation, pain, fever, and other harmful conditions.

Since the discovery of the pharmacological and toxicological importance of inhibiting the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), much research has gone into the development of methods to study the biological functions of COX-1 and COX-2. In Cyclooxygenases: Methods and Protocols, experts and pioneers in the field present the most up-to-date in vitro and in vivo techniques routinely used in COX research. The volume delves into essential topics such as the purification, cloning, and expression of COX enzymes as well as in vitro assays aimed at determining the inhibitory potency of drugs on COX-1 and COX-2 activities, with chapters describing protocols used for the extraction and measurement of the prostanoids. This volume also describes in vivo disease models used to study the roles of COX-1 and COX-2 in gastrointestinal injury, inflammation, and pain. As a book in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series, the protocols chapters include brief introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Cyclooxygenases: Methods and Protocols serves as an indispensable tool for all scientists seeking the treatment of inflammation, pain, fever, and other harmful conditions.

The acute inflammatory response is the body s first system of alarm signals that are directed toward containment and elimination of microbial invaders. Uncontrolled inflammation has emerged as a pathophysiologic basis for many widely occurring diseases in the general population that were not initially known to be linked to the inflammatory response, including cardiovascular disease, asthma, arthritis, and cancer. To better manage treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of these wide-ranging diseases, multidisciplinary research efforts are underway in both academic and industry settings. The purpose of this book is to provide an introduction to the cell types, chemical mediators, and general mechanisms of the host s first response to invasion. World-class experts from institutions around the world have written chapters for this introductory text. The text is presented as an introductory springboard for graduate students, postdoctoral Fellows, medical scientists, and researchers from other disciplines who wish to gain an appreciation and working knowledge of current cellular and molecular mechanisms fundamental to inflammation.