Tag: Phospholipase a2

While aspirin's primary mechanism involves the irreversible inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, researchers have uncovered more complex pathways involved in its anti-inflammatory effects. The question of “does aspirin inhibit phospholipase A2?” delves into these additional mechanisms, revealing that while it does not directly block the enzyme, it can suppress the gene expression of certain PLA2 isoforms.

While nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are known for directly inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, the answer to **Does prednisone inhibit COX-2?** is more complex [1.4.1]. Prednisone, a powerful glucocorticoid, primarily works 'upstream' in the inflammatory cascade, which results in the downregulation of COX-2 expression [1.2.1, 1.4.4].

Overwhelming evidence shows that the primary anti-inflammatory mechanism of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is the inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, not phospholipase A2 (PLA2). Understanding this distinction is crucial to differentiate how these widely used medications function within the body's complex inflammatory cascade.