Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for wounds: Pain relief or excessive scar formation?

Chien Sheng Chen, Wen Hsiang Su, Ming Huei Cheng, Wen Ling Lee, Tsung Shan Tsou, Wen Hsun Chang, Peng Hui Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

93 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The inflammatory process has direct effects on normal and abnormal wound healing. Hypertrophic scar formation is an aberrant form of wound healing and is an indication of an exaggerated function of fibroblasts and excess accumulation of extracellular matrix during wound healing. Two cytokinestransforming growth factor- (TGF-) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)are lipid mediators of inflammation involving wound healing. Overproduction of TGF- and suppression of PGE2 are found in excessive wound scarring compared with normal wound healing. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or their selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors are frequently used as a pain-killer. However, both NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors inhibit PGE2 production, which might exacerbate excessive scar formation, especially when used during the later proliferative phase. Therefore, a balance between cytokines and medication in the pathogenesis of wound healing is needed. This report is a literature review pertaining to wound healing and is focused on TGF- and PGE2.

Original languageEnglish
Article number413238
JournalMediators of Inflammation
Volume2010
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

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