THE EFFECT OF CYCLOOXYGENASE-2 INHIBITOR ON EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGIC NEURITIS

WE studied the effect of the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor nimesuli de on experimental allergic neuritis (EAN). In rats fed with nimesulid e starting on day 1 post inoculation, the clinical EAN score was signi ficantly lower and the maximal clinical score was reduced compared wit h the control group. Even if given after the onset of clinical signs, the clinical score was reduced and improvement was faster than the con trol group. Nimesulide inhibited decreases in weight in the experiment al group. The histopathological observations of the sciatic nerve show ed a decreased incidence of degenerated nerve fibers in the experiment al group. Although the exact mechanism of its efficacy is not clear, a COX-2 inhibitor may have potential as an additional therapeutic agent in human inflammatory neuropathies. NeuroReport 9: 2331-2334 (C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.