SELECTIVE CYCLOOXYGENASE-2 INHIBITION REDUCES CARRAGEENAN EDEMA AND ASSOCIATED SPINAL C-FOS EXPRESSION IN THE RAT

Pre-administered NS-398 (0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg p.o.), a selective cycloo xygenase-a inhibitor without gastro-intestinal side-effects, dose-depe ndently reduced carrageenan evoked spinal c-Fos expression (16 +/- 4%, 32 +/- 3% and 56 +/- 5% reduction, respectively) at 3 h after intrapl antar carrageenan. The effects of NS-398 on carrageenan induced periph eral oedema and spinal c-Fos expression were correlated, thus demonstr ating the beneficial relief of inflammatory pain.