Cyclooxygenase 2 in liver dysfunction and carcinogenesis: Facts and perspectives

Figure 1 Main regulation and effects of cyclooxygenase-2 in liver. COX-2 and PGE₂ exert protection against many liver injuries and promote proliferation of hepatocytes and inhibition of apoptosis and necrosis of hepatic cells. The contribution to inflammation remains controversial depending on the moment of COX-2 expression.

Figure 2 Mice carrying a COX-2 transgene in hepatocytes have elevated PGE₂ and are protected against hepatic insults. PGE₂ produced by hepatic COX-2 has specific effects in liver against inflammation, steatosis, fibrosis and apoptosis. At the systemic level protection against insulin resistance and adiposity is observed, whereas angiogenesis and thermogenesis are enhanced.