title: Rofecoxib impairs adipose tissue development in a murine model of nutritionally induced obesity.
abstract: The effect of rofecoxib (Vioxx), a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor, on adipose tissue development was studied in a murine model of diet-induced obesity. Oral administration of Vioxx for six weeks (34 mg/kg/day) to C57Bl/6 mice kept on high-fat diet (n = 19) resulted in a significant reduction in total body weight (p < 0.01) and of subcutaneous (p < 0.05) and gonadal (p < 0.01) adipose tissue mass, as compared to placebo-treated animals (n = 21). There was no significant difference in food intake between both groups (2.8 +/- 0.09 vs. 3.0 +/- 0.10 g/day; p = 0.20). Administration of Vioxx resulted in reduced total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels (p < 0.0001) and in enhanced levels of liver enzymes, as compared to place-bo. In the gonadal but not in the subcutaneous adipose tissue, adipocytes were smaller after Vioxx treatment (p < 0.05). The macrophage content was significantly lower in gonadal adipose tissues of Vioxx-treated mice (p < 0.05), but not in the subcutaneous adipose tissues. This was, however, not associated with differences in adipose tissue levels of the pro-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. Blood vessel size or density in either fat pad were not affected by Vioxx treatment. Thus, in a nutritionally induced murine obesity model, oral administration of Vioxx, as compared to placebo, resulted in reduced adipose tissue development, associated with lower feeding efficiency and smaller adipocytes.
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, O & N 1, Leuven, Belgium. roger.lijnen@med.kuleuven.be
authors.forename: H Roger
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Lijnen
authors.forename: Berthe
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Van Hoef
authors.forename: Hua Rong
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Gallacher
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D007783:Lactones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013450:Sulfones / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D004041:Dietary Fats; D007783:Lactones; D013450:Sulfones; C116926:rofecoxib