Cyclooxygenase isoforms and platelet vessel wall interactions in the apolipoprotein E knockout mouse model of atherosclerosis.

Background: Cyclooxygenase (COX) activity is induced in human atherosclerosis, and the products formed may modify the disease directly or through an effect on platelets. We examined the role of COX-1 and -2 on platelet vessel wall interactions and development of atherosclerosis in a murine model.

Methods And Results: Apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE-/-) mice fed a 1% cholesterol diet were treated with a selective COX-1 inhibitor (SC-560), a selective COX-2 inhibitor (SC-236), or vehicle.