Preferential coxib and the value of moderation

Do not be overly righteous,
Nor be overly wise:
Why should you destroy yourself?
Do not be overly wicked,
Nor be foolish:
Why should you die before your time?

ECCLESIASTES 7:16-17

COX2 is one of two isoforms of the cyclooxygenase, an enzyme that converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandin, a group of lipids with hormone-like functions that regulate various body processes. Prostaglandin, originating from arachidonic acid, is further converted to other prostanoids that are involved in several processes in the body, among which are inflammatory reactions.

The COX1 isoform is mostly constitutively present in humans and so participates in many physiological (normal) functions of the body. Same for COX2 although the latter is thought to be involved majorly in pathological (abnormal) processes such as inflammation.

One of the treatments for inflammation is the use of drugs called NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) that inhibit this enzyme called COX2. If the drug that blocks the cyclooxygenase is not selective for COX2, the risk is that we will have both COX1 and COX2 blocked, resulting in a higher risk of adverse effects. Among the COX2 inhibitors are drugs that are selective for this isoform. Selective in this context means that they inhibit only COX2 when administered. However, we also have drugs that are preferential for COX2. The term preferential means that they prefer to bind to COX2, but at high dosages, they lose their selectivity and can indistinctly block COX1 and COX2.

The Juice:
The key phrase in all these is recommended dosage or what I choose to call moderation. You will obtain the results you wish to have if you would be moderate. Your aim is not to shoot blanks or is it to shadow box – hitting whatever shows up. You lose your selectivity when you go to the extreme.

Therefore, avoid extremes, even in things which are apparently of good virtue. Life is best lived in moderation (not compromise of values), maintaining a balance between dressing like grandma and exposing your nakedness, between work and family, between indifference and obsession, and between loud and mute.

Today’s chore:
Identify areas in lifestyle and relationship where you’ve always been on the extreme side. Most of life is lived in grey zones, and I’m not referring to a compromise of values.
Write down the extreme and moderate versions. You’ll realise that most of moderation comes from a place of understanding of yourself and others.

Reflection:
Always remember that the people you interact with daily might be different from you. We all represent extremes of personality, passion, desires, and aspirations. While we would love to be understood and treated the way we are, we must move closer to others to understand them better and maybe shed a bit of our extremes to accommodate them. Our extremes (excesses) are weighing on the earth so much. If we all moved a little step towards one another, the world would be a better place.

Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:5 advises that our moderation (gentleness, forbearance, reasonableness) should be evident to all with whom we interact. Don’t get into extremes of anger or even become unreasonable in excitement. Moderation is always key in things.

Moderation in all things. And even moderation in moderation. Don’t get too much moderation, you know?

Maya Angelou

By the way, 1. Don’t administer COX2 inhibitors (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, etc.) to pregnant women in their third trimester because you would be compromising the normal birth process.
By the way, 2. I love my grandma.

Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow with a fresh article. Make sure to share. God bless you.