Cytoprotective effect of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in rat brain slices subjected to reoxygenation after oxygen–glucose deprivation

The aim of this study was to assess the possible neuroprotective effect of the main nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in an experimental model of hypoxia-reoxygenation in rat brain slices. After reoxygenation the increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) efflux was inhibited by nimesulide, celecoxib and meloxicam with an IC50 in the 10−6 M range, by flurbiprofen, ibuprofen and diclofenac in the 10−5 M range, and by salicylic acid, indomethacin, acetylsalicylic acid and mefenamic acid the 10−4 M range. The effect of other NSAIDs was seen with an IC50 greater than 10−3 M. A statistically significant linear correlation between the values of LDH efflux and prostaglandin E2 was found for NSAIDs whose IC50 of cytoprotection (LDH efflux) was below 10−4 M. The concentration of interleukin 10 was increased with nimesulide, celecoxib, meloxicam, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen and diclofenac. Flurbiprofen and diclofenac significantly inhibited the production of lipid peroxides. The increase in brain nitrite levels was significantly reduced with celecoxib, flurbiprofen, diclofenac and salicylic acid. Concentrations of 3-nitrotyrosine were significantly reduced with celecoxib, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, salicylic acid and ketorolac. In conclusion, NSAIDs with the greatest cytoprotective effect (nimesulide, celecoxib and meloxicam) may exert their effect mainly through the blockade of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity. Other compounds with neuroprotective activity may complement their lower anti-COX-2 effect with a slight increase in interleukin 10 and reduced oxidative and nitrosative stress in our model of hypoxia-reoxygenation in rat brain slices.

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