316 OLIVE OILS AND HEALTH - respiratory system The respiratory system is a group of organs whose main function is gas exchange with the environment (uptake of oxygen and elimination of carbon dioxide -CO₂-). It includes the lungs (containing the bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli) as well as the various airways and cavities that connect them to the outside of the body (nasal cavity, mouth, pharynx, larynx, and trachea). PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPONENTS Chemical compounds produced by plants. PHYTOSTANOLS (See MINOR COMPOUNDS / Triterpenoids / Phytosterols) PHYTOSTEROL (See MINOR COMPOUNDS / Triterpenoids) PIROXICAM Piroxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain, tenderness, inflammation, and stiffness caused by conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (persistent inflammation of the lining of one or more joints) or osteoarthritis (a degenerative disease caused by the breakdown of joint cartilage). It is also prescribed for menstrual pain. Piroxicam works by blocking the production of substances (prostaglandins) that cause pain, fever, and inflammation in response to injury or certain diseases. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be taken with caution, as they can cause stomach and intestinal ulcers, with the associated risk of bleeding or perforation. Moreover, people taking these medications have an increased risk of heart attack or stroke compared to those who do not take them, especially with long-term use. Information on proper use, safety, and storage of these medications is available at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm (Last accessed September 2025) PLASMA LIPOPROTEINS (See LIPIDS / Concepts / Cholesterol) PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR INHIBITOR A protein that inhibits the action of the tissue plasminogen activator and therefore contributes to thrombus development. (See also “Tissue plasminogen activator” and “Thrombosis”). PLASMINOGEN TISSUE ACTIVATOR A proteolytic protein -that degrades other proteins- that is involved in the breakdown of blood clots. (See also “Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor” and “Thrombosis”).
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