ABSTRACT

There is strong evidence that arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites play an important proinŠammatory role in inŠammatory diseases of the airways such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (Wenzel et  al., 1997; Henderson, 1994; O’Byrne, 1997). AA is metabolized by two different families of enzymes, namely cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LO/LOX), leading to the generation of prostanoids and leukotrienes. The contribution of the COX family of enzymes, together with the prostanoids, has been well documented in the pathophysiology of several inŠammatory diseases, including COPD. Current treatment for COPD relies mainly on long-acting bronchodilators or inhaled corticosteroids. Both of these have little impact in controlling the inŠammatory component of this disease, thereby creating a large unmet medical need in this area. The objective of this chapter is to examine the contribution of the COX pathway in the pathophysiology of respiratory conditions such as COPD and asthma. Drug discovery effort around COX and prostanoid receptor with special reference to prostaglandin D2 receptor will be explored.