Developing A Safer NSAID

By Jane Farrell

Researchers are drawing closer to a safer alternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that relieve pain but can cause heart attacks, strokes and even sudden cardiac death.

Investigators from the University of Pennsylvania built on previous work to further explore the role of an enzyme, mPGES-1, in delaying the development of atherosclerosis. Their findings were reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The scientists found that eliminating mPGES-1 markedly slows the rate at which arteries harden in mice with high levels of cholesterol.

The study adds more evidence that focusing on the elimination of mPGES-1 could lead to a new class of NSAIDs that not only avoid heart disease but work to reduce it.