Effects of meloxicam compared to acetylsalicylic acid in human articular chondrocytes

Meloxicam is a new nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) derived from enolic acid, which has displayed potent anti-inflammatory properties in animal studies combined with low gastrointestinal toxicity. Other NSAIDs have been shown, in vitro, to have a variety of effects on cartilage repair processes in diseased articular cartilage. The aim of this study was to ascertain the effects of meloxicam on some of these processes using in vitro models. Acetylsalicylic acid, a NSAID whose characteristics have been previously elucidated in the models, was used as an active comparator. The effects of meloxicam were different from those of acetylsalicylic acid on chondrocyte clusters. At pharmacologically active concentrations, meloxicam was a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin-E2 production. However, all chondroformative processes were unaffected by meloxicam as indicated by a lack of effect on DNA synthesis and on type-II collagen and proteoglycan levels in chondrocyte culture medium and clusters, while acetylsalicylic acid decreased proteoglycan production and cell proliferation. Consequently, these in vitro findings suggest that meloxicam does not adversely affect the reparative processes active within the cartilage matrix of a diseased joint. This study represents a sound basis for future studies to establish the effects of meloxicam on osteoarthritis disease progression.