Editorial [Hot Topic: New Insights and Strategies in Treating Inflammation-Related Diseases (Executive Editor: Tz-Chong Chou)]

In this issue of Current Pharmaceutical Design, new insights and strategies in treating inflammation-related diseases is reviewed by experts. A large number of studies have demonstrated that inflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of various central and peripheral diseases such as age-related neurological disorders, atherosclerosis, sepsis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is well known that the inflammatory reaction is very complex and multifactorial process resulting from the generation of various pro-inflammatory mediators. The issue consists of six reviews. The first review provides recent information on the signal transduction pathways of inflammatory genes expression. Dr. Chen [1] describes the current understanding of the NF-κB activation pathway, a key factor of inflammatory signal transduction, and the possible signal pathways of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Furthermore, some potential anti-inflammatory natural products such as flavonids modulating ICAM-1 and COX-2 expression are also discussed. Dr. Yossi et al. [2] reviews the pathological role of inflammation in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. In addition, authors also discuss the possible reasons accounting for the equivocation in clinical trials of using anti-inflammatory drugs (AIDs). Accordingly, administration of a AIDs with better blood brain barrier (BBB) transport and more selectivity for COX-2 at correct timing may be more effective in treating neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Wang et al., [3] highlights the association of oxidative stress and neurodegenerative diseases and provide recent evidence confirming the beneficial effect of antioxidants in treating neurodegeneration and suppressing glia-mediated inflammation. Furthermore, the neuroprotective effects of different kinds of antioxidants are discussed and compared, which may be useful for future clinical therapy. Sepsis, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome, is very complicated and heterogeneous accompanied by a high mortality. However, an ideal therapy to improve the survival of patients with sepsis has not yet established. Dr. Wu [4] reviews recent therapies for septic shock including traditional therapies and potential treatments targeting the individual element of the inflammatory cascade or transcription factors based on several animal and clinical studies. Nitric oxide (NO), synthesized by the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS), plays an important regulatory/modulatory role in physiological and pathological conditions. However, high amount of NO produced by inducible NOS (iNOS) may cause tissue damage and organ dysfunction, which is often observed in sepsis and septic shock. Thus, attenuation of excess formation of NO by NO scavengers may be a beneficial strategy in treating septic shock. Dr. Harbrecht [5] describes some characteristics of ideal NO scavengers including specific for binding NO and optimal pharmacodynamic profiles to maximize therapeutic efficacy and minimize side effects. In addition, Dr. Harbrecht also introduces and evaluates the properties of various NO scavengers and their therapeutic effect in animal studies of septic shock. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive debilitating inflammatory disease with an incidence of about 2-3%. The last review by Dr. Cuzzocrea [6] will discuss the role of NO and oxygen-derived free radicals especially superoxide and hydroxyl radical and peroxynitrite in RA and further evaluates the pharmacological effect of superoxide dismutase mimetic (SODm) in arthritis. Current evidence suggest that reducing free radical generation by antioxidants or SOD may be a potential therapy in arthritis. Finally, I would like to thank all authors for their contribution. References [1] Chen CC. Signal transduction pathways of inflammatory genes expression and therapeutic implications. Curr Pharm Design 2006; 12(27): 3497-3508. [2] Yossi GS, Melamed E, Offen D. Anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases: Current state. Curr Pharm Design 2006; 12(27): 3509-3519. [3] Wang JY, Wen LL, Huang YN, Chen YT, Gu MC. Dual effects of antioxidants in neurodegeneration: Direct neuroprotection against oxidative stress and indirect protection via suppression of glia-mediated inflammation. Curr Pharm Design 2006; 12(27): 3521-3533. [4] Wu CC. Possible therapies of septic shock: based on animal studies and clinical trials. Curr Pharm Design 2006; 12(27): 3535-3541. [5] Harbrecht BG. Therapeutic use of nitric oxide scavengers in shock and sepsis. Curr Pharm Design 2006; 12(27): 3543- 3549. [6] Cuzzocrea S. Role of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species in arthritis. Curr Pharm Design 2006; 12(27): 3551-3570.