How do NSAIDs relieve pain and inflammation mechanistically?

Prepare for the Tissue Injury, Healing, and Pain Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations. Ensure you're ready for the exam!

Multiple Choice

How do NSAIDs relieve pain and inflammation mechanistically?

NSAIDs relieve pain and inflammation by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes that convert arachidonic acid into prostaglandins. With less prostaglandin synthesis, there is reduced sensitization of nociceptors and a dampened inflammatory response, leading to lower pain and swelling. COX-1 is normally present for protective roles (like gastric lining and platelets), while COX-2 is induced during inflammation, which is why many NSAIDs target these enzymes to curb inflammation with varying GI risk. The other options don’t match NSAID action: blocking voltage-gated calcium channels is a mechanism of other analgesics, not NSAIDs; stimulating prostaglandin production would worsen inflammation; and opioid receptor agonism describes opioids, not NSAIDs.

NSAIDs relieve pain and inflammation by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes that convert arachidonic acid into prostaglandins. With less prostaglandin synthesis, there is reduced sensitization of nociceptors and a dampened inflammatory response, leading to lower pain and swelling. COX-1 is normally present for protective roles (like gastric lining and platelets), while COX-2 is induced during inflammation, which is why many NSAIDs target these enzymes to curb inflammation with varying GI risk. The other options don’t match NSAID action: blocking voltage-gated calcium channels is a mechanism of other analgesics, not NSAIDs; stimulating prostaglandin production would worsen inflammation; and opioid receptor agonism describes opioids, not NSAIDs.

More practice questions