Stimulated release of arachidonic acid from rat liver cells by celecoxib and indomethacin

The selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX) inhibitor, celecoxib, and the non-sele ctive COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitor, indomethacin, at muM concentrations, stimu late the release of arachidonic acid from rat liver cells (the C-9 cell lin e). Other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were tested, including salic ylic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, sulindac sulfone, sulindac sulfide, ibupro fen, piroxicam and the selective COX-2 inhibitor, rofecoxib, and the analge sic, acetaminophen. These compounds do not stimulate the release of arachid onic acid. The stimulated release by celecoxib is not affected by dexametha sone or the translation and transcription inhibitors, actinomycin and cyclo heximide. The increased arachidonic acid release may be associated with ind uction of apoptosis. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.