Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), non-selective or selective inhibitors of
cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and -2), reduce pain and inflammation associated with arthritic
diseases. Celecoxib, a COX-2-selective inhibitor providing decreased gastric injury
relative to non-selective NSAIDs, is commonly prescribed. Misoprostol, a prostaglandin
analog, supplements NSAID-inhibited prostaglandin levels. As concomitant celecoxib and
misoprostol administration has been shown to intensify renal adverse effects, this article
examined the influence of concomitant administration on hepatic histopathology, oxidative
stress, and celecoxib concentration. On days 1 and 2, rat groups (n = 6) were gavaged
twice daily (two groups with vehicle and two groups with 100 μg/kg misoprostol). From day
3 to day 9, one celecoxib dose (40 mg/kg) replaced a vehicle dose of one group and one
group received celecoxib in addition to misoprostol. Livers were harvested on day 10. No
hepatic abnormalities were observed denoting a lack of influence by either drug. Also no
change in mean biomarker levels was detected. The changes in hepatic celecoxib
concentration in the misoprostol-receiving group compared to control were not significant.
Thus misoprostol does not influence hepatic celecoxib effects in terms of histopathology,
oxidative stress, or celecoxib concentration level at the dosage and duration
examined.