Suppression of intestinal polyp development by nimesulide, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, in Min mice

Jpn J Cancer Res. 1997 Dec;88(12):1117-20. doi: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.1997.tb00337.x.

Abstract

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) suppress colon carcinogenesis in man and experimental animals. However, conventional NSAIDs inhibit both cyclooxygenase (COX) isoforms, COX-1 and COX-2, and cause gastrointestinal side-effects. Nimesulide, a selective inhibitor of COX-2, is much less ulcerogenic. We, therefore, examined its influence on the development of intestinal polyps in Min mice. Female Min mice at 4 weeks old were given 400 ppm nimesulide in their diet for 11 weeks. This treatment resulted in a significant reduction of the numbers of both small and large intestinal polyps, the total being 52% of that in untreated control Min mice. The size of the polyps in the nimesulide-treated group was also significantly decreased. The results suggest that nimesulide is a good candidate as a chemopreventive agent for human colon cancer with low toxicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / chemistry
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Colon / drug effects
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Female
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Intestinal Polyps / pathology
  • Intestinal Polyps / prevention & control*
  • Isoenzymes / drug effects*
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / drug effects*
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / metabolism
  • Sulfonamides / chemistry
  • Sulfonamides / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors
  • Isoenzymes
  • Sulfonamides
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases
  • nimesulide