COX-2 is primarily involved in which process?

• A. Protects stomach lining
• B. Regulates blood sugar
• C. Maintains electrolyte balance
• D. Triggers inflammation and pain

Answer: (D)

COX-2 is an inducible enzyme that drives inflammation by producing prostaglandins when tissues are inflamed. When inflammatory signals are present, COX-2 levels rise and synthesize prostaglandins like PGE2, which cause swelling, redness, heat, and, importantly, sensitize nerve endings to produce pain and fever. This makes COX-2 closely tied to the inflammatory response and pain. In contrast, protecting the stomach lining is mainly a function of COX-1, not COX-2, and regulating blood sugar or electrolyte balance aren’t primary roles of COX-2 either. So the process COX-2 is primarily involved in is triggering inflammation and pain.