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Effects of Therapeutic Doses of Celecoxib on Several Physiological Parameters of Cultured Human Osteoblasts
Víctor J Costela-Ruiz1,2, Lucia Melguizo-Rodríguez1,2, Rebeca Illescas-Montes1,2
1Biomedical Group (BIO277). Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences. University of Granada, Avda. Ilustración 60, 18016. Granada, Spain.
Abstract:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-selective NSAIDs, are associated with adverse effects on bone tissue. These drugs are frequently the treatment of choice but are the least studied with respect to their repercussion on bone. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of celecoxib on cultured human osteoblasts. Human osteoblasts obtained by primary culture from bone samples were treated with celecoxib at doses of 0.75, 2, or 5μM for 24 h. The MTT technique was used to determine the effect on proliferation; flow cytometry to establish the effect on cell cycle, cell viability, and antigenic profile; and real-time polymerase chain reaction to measure the effect on gene expressions of the differentiation markers RUNX2, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OSC), and osterix (OSX). Therapeutic doses of celecoxib had no effect on osteoblast cell growth or antigen expression but had a negative impact on the gene expression of RUNX2 and OSC, although there was no significant change in the expression of ALP and OSX. Celecoxib at therapeutic doses has no apparent adverse effects on cultured human osteoblasts and only inhibits the expression of some differentiation markers. These characteristics may place this drug in a preferential position among NSAIDs used for analgesic and anti-inflammatory therapy during bone tissue repair.
Insights
Celecoxib, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), did not affect human osteoblast growth or viability. However, it reduced the expression of key bone differentiation markers RUNX2 and osteocalcin (OSC) at therapeutic doses.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics and Bone Biology
- Pharmacology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including COX-2 inhibitors, can adversely affect bone tissue.
- The impact of commonly used NSAIDs like celecoxib on bone cells remains understudied.
- Understanding NSAID effects on osteoblasts is crucial for bone healing therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of celecoxib on cultured human osteoblasts.
- To assess celecoxib's impact on osteoblast proliferation, cell cycle, viability, and differentiation markers.
- To determine if therapeutic doses of celecoxib pose risks to bone cells.
Main Methods:
- Primary human osteoblasts were cultured and treated with varying doses of celecoxib (0.75, 2, 5μM) for 24 hours.
- MTT assay assessed cell proliferation; flow cytometry analyzed cell cycle, viability, and antigenic profile.
- Real-time PCR quantified gene expression of differentiation markers: RUNX2, ALP, OSC, and OSX.
Main Results:
- Celecoxib at therapeutic doses did not affect osteoblast proliferation or antigen expression.
- A significant decrease in gene expression for RUNX2 and OSC was observed.
- No significant changes were found in the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osterix (OSX).
Conclusions:
- Therapeutic doses of celecoxib show no apparent adverse effects on human osteoblast growth or viability.
- Celecoxib selectively inhibits the expression of specific osteoblast differentiation markers (RUNX2, OSC).
- These findings suggest celecoxib may be a favorable NSAID choice for pain and inflammation management during bone repair.
