Nitric oxide-releasing NSAIDs: a novel class of GI-sparing anti-inflammatory drugs.

The addition of a nitric oxide-releasing moiety to a number of common nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs markedly reduces their toxicity in the gastrointestinal tract without interfering with their ability to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities of the nitric-oxide releasing NSAID were comparable to the parent compound, while the anti-thrombotic activity in vivo was significantly enhanced. Nitric oxide-releasing NSAIDs may represent an alternative to existing anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic and anti-thrombotic agents with greatly reduced toxicity in the gastrointestinal tract.