Effects of Intramuscular Diclofenac Use on Lipid Peroxidation and Skeletal Muscle Histology in Balb-C Mice

Abstract

Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is widely used for the treatment of musculoskeletal complaints, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and acute muscle pain conditions. There is considerable interest in the toxicity of diclofenac because of its clinical uses. In the present study, the sub-chronic administration of diclofenac (10 mg/kg body weight; 30 days) resulted in various changes in activity of SOD enzyme (a marker of oxidative stress) and lipid peroxidation levels of mice. Changes in the activity of enzyme represent adaptive responses in muscle after diclofenac treatment. Results show that diclofenac is a strong inducer of oxidative stress. Increase in the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) and SOD activity is observed which indicates a link between oxidative stress and muscular toxicity. Maximum increase is seen in drug treated mice at 30 days' stage of investigation.