Parecoxib exhibits anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in a rat model of transient global cerebral ischemia.

ABSTRACT

Transient global cerebral ischemia (tGCI) induces inflammation leading to secondary brain injury. Data suggested that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is involved in the occurrence and development of inflammatory reaction after reperfusion; however, the effectiveness of a highly selective COX-2 inhibitor, parecoxib, to counteract tGCI remains to be determined. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential protective actions of parecoxib in a rat model of tGCI and the role inflammation plays in this disorder. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered parecoxib 10 or 20 mg/kg intraperitoneally (ip) at 5 min, 24 or 48 hr after tGCI. Control rats received an equal volume of 0.9% saline. The rat model of tGCI was established using the method of bilateral common carotid artery occlusion combined with arterial hypotension. The following parameters were measured Neurological Severity Score, morphological changes in the hippocampal CA1 region, Evans blue (EB) extravasation, brain water content, levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), neuronal apoptosis, the protein expression of Bcl-2, Bax, COX-2, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Parecoxib treatment significantly improved neurological function and morphological defects in the hippocampal CA1 region, reduced levels of COX-2, PGE2, IL-1ß, and TNF-α. In addition, parecoxib attenuated brain edema and BBB destruction as evidenced by increased ZO-1 expression and decreased MMP-9 expression. Further, parecoxib reduced neuronal apoptosis via diminished protein expression of Bax and enhanced expression of Bcl-2.