Acemetacin is highly metabolized and degraded by esterolytic cleavage to form its major and active metabolite indometacin. Indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) used for the symptomatic management of chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions and to induce closure of a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants. This drug is not FDA, Canada or EMA approved. It has analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory effects. It targets the prostaglandin G/H synthase-1 (COX-1) and prostaglandin G/H synthase-2 (COX-2) in the cyclooxygenase pathway. The cyclooxygenase pathway begins in the cytosol with phospholipids being converted into arachidonic acid by the action of phospholipase A2. The rest of the pathway occurs on the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, where prostaglandin G/H synthase 1 & 2 convert arachidonic acid into prostaglandin H2. Prostaglandin H2 can either be converted into thromboxane A2 via thromboxane A synthase, prostacyclin/prostaglandin I2 via prostacyclin synthase or prostaglandin E2 via prostaglandin E synthase. COX-2 is an inducible enzyme, and during inflammation, it is responsible for prostaglandin synthesis. It leads to the formation of prostaglandin E2 which is responsible for contributing to the inflammatory response by activating immune cells and for increasing pain sensation by acting on pain fibers. Indomethacin inhibits the action of COX-1 and COX-2 on the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. This reduces the formation of prostaglandin H2 and therefore, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). The low concentration of prostaglandin E2 attenuates the effect it has on stimulating immune cells and pain fibers, consequently reducing inflammation and pain. Fever is triggered by inflammatory and infectious diseases. Cytokines are produced in the central nervous system (CNS) during an inflammatory response. These cytokines induce COX-2 production that increases the synthesis of prostaglandin, specifically prostaglandin E2 which adjusts hypothalamic temperature control by increasing heat production. Because indomethacin decreases PGE2 in the CNS, it has an antipyretic effect. In clinical trials, acemetacin exhibits better gastric tolerability compared to its active metabolite indometacin.

Acemetacin Pathway References