Influence of rofecoxib on experimental colonic carcinogenesis in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of a selective cyclooxigenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, rofecoxib, in the prevalence of experimental colon tumors in rats.


METHODS
Experimental study with 35 male Sprague-Dawley rats, divided into four groups: a) control group without experimental manipulation (n = 5); b) pharmacological carcinogenesis with 1-2 dimethylhydrazine dihydrocloride (n = 10); c) pharmacological carcinogenesis and addition of acetylsalicylic acid (AAS) (n = 10); and d) carcinogenesis and addition of rofecoxib (n = 10). Carcinogenesis was induced with 1-2 dimethylhydrazine at a weekly dose of 25 mg/kg for 18 weeks. Colon tumors were isolated at 20 weeks. Antiinflammatory agents were given at a dose of AAS 30 mg/kg and rofecoxib at 3 mg/kg.


RESULTS
The percentage of colonic tumors was significantly reduced in the rofecoxib group. This result was found for all tumors and for the malignant lesions, adenocarcinomas.


CONCLUSIONS
Rofecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, reduced the percentage of drug-induced neoplastic glandular tissue in rats.
Noguera Aguilar
J F
JF
IUNICS, General Surgery Unit and Digestive Diseases, Son Llàtzer Hospital, Balearic Islands, Spain. jnoguera@hsll.es
Plaza Martínez
A
A
Amengual Antich
I
I
Morón Canis
J M
JM
Tortajada Collado
C
C
Pujol Tugores
J J
JJ
D019813:1,2-Dimethylhydrazine / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D007783:Lactones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013450:Sulfones / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D002273:Carcinogens; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007527:Isoenzymes; D007783:Lactones; D013450:Sulfones; C116926:rofecoxib; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D019813:1,2-Dimethylhydrazine; D001241:Aspirin