Parecoxib decreases cellular growth and Bcl‐2 protein levels in primary cultures of keloid fibroblasts

Abstract

Keloids seem to overexpress cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), suggesting a role in its deregulated pathway in inducing an altered epithelial‐mesenchymal interaction, which may be responsible for the overgrowth of dermal components resulting in scars or keloid lesions. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Parecoxib, a COX‐2 inhibitor, on cell growth in fibroblast primary cultures obtained from human keloid tissues. Tissue explants were obtained from patients who underwent intralesional excision of untreated keloids; central fractions were isolated from keloid tissues and used for establishing distinct primary cultures. Appropriate aliquots of Parecoxib, a COX‐2 inhibitor were diluted to obtain the concentration used in the experimental protocols in vitro (1, 10 or 100 μM). Treatment with Parecoxib (at all concentrations) caused a significant decrease in cellular growth from 24 hours onwards, and with a maximum at 72 hours (P < .02). Moreover, at 72 hours Parecoxib significantly reduced cellular vitality. Parecoxib treatment also induced an increase in fragmented nuclei with a maximum effect at 100 μM and a significant decrease in Bcl‐2 and an increase in activated caspase‐3 protein levels at 72 hours compared with control untreated cultures. Our findings suggest a potential use of the COX‐2 inhibitor, Parecoxib, as the therapy for keloids.