Differential effects of selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors on endothelial function in salt-induced hypertension

In view of the ongoing controversy about potential differences in cardiovascular safety of selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors (coxibs), we compared the effects of 2 different coxibs and a traditional NSAID on endothelial dysfunction, a well-established surrogate of cardiovascular disease, in salt-induced hypertension.

Salt-sensitive (DS) and salt-resistant (DR) Dahl rats were fed a high-sodium diet (4% NaCl) for 56 days. From days 35 to 56, diclofenac (6 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1); DS-diclofenac), rofecoxib (2 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1); DS-rofecoxib), celecoxib (25 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1); DS-celecoxib) or placebo (DS-placebo) was added to the chow. Blood pressure increased with sodium diet in the DS groups, which was more pronounced after diclofenac and rofecoxib treatment (P<0.005 versus DS-placebo) but was slightly decreased by celecoxib (P<0.001 versus DS-placebo). Sodium diet markedly reduced NO-mediated endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine (10-10-10-5 mol/L) in aortic rings of untreated hypertensive rats (P<0.005 versus DR-placebo). Relaxation to acetylcholine improved after celecoxib (P<0.005 versus DS-placebo and DS-rofecoxib) but remained unchanged after rofecoxib and diclofenac treatment. Vasoconstriction after nitric oxide synthase inhibition, indicating basal NO release, with N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (10-4 mol/L) was blunted in DS rats (P<0.05 versus DR-placebo), normalized by celecoxib, but not affected by rofecoxib or diclofenac. Indicators of oxidative stress, 8-isoprostane levels, were elevated in untreated DS rats on 4% NaCl (6.55+/-0.58 versus 3.65+/-1.05 ng/mL, P<0.05) and normalized by celecoxib only (4.29+/-0.58 ng/mL).

These data show that celecoxib but not rofecoxib or diclofenac improves endothelial dysfunction and reduces oxidative stress, thus pointing to differential effects of coxibs in salt-induced hypertension.