Celecoxib or diclofenac hepatic status in the presence or absence of rebamipide

D.E. Murrell, Y. Rahmasari, J.W. Denham, P.C. Panus, S. Harirforoosh

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gatton College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA. harirfor@etsu.edu

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• Pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: Utilization of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as diclofenac, can produce gastrointestinal ulceration. Thus, cyclooxygenase-2-selective inhibitors, such as celecoxib, and protective agents (e.g. rebamipide) have been employed to alleviate harmful NSAID effects. This study sought to explore the influence of rebamipide on the hepatic outcomes following administration of two commonly prescribed NSAIDs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were given either vehicle or rebamipide (30 mg/kg) orally twice daily for two days, then on the third day respective groups were dosed with either vehicle, celecoxib (40 mg/kg), or diclofenac (10 mg/kg) in addition to a respective dose of vehicle or rebamipide. Livers were collected on day 4 following euthanasia. Hepatic tissue was examined via histopathology and assayed for oxidative stress and specific NSAID concentration.

RESULTS: The liver sections were found to be free from structural changes. Oxidative stress biomarkers, reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde, were discovered to be unaltered among the groups tested. The hepatic NSAID concentrations were not significantly affected by the presence of rebamipide.

CONCLUSIONS: The concomitant administration of rebamipide does not influence the hepatic condition of rats administered either celecoxib or diclofenac at the dosages and over the time course examined.

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