Effect of spinal cyclooxygenase inhibitors in rat using the formalin test and in vitro prostaglandin E2 release

Spinally delivery of the non-specific cyclooxygenase inhibitor, S(+)-ibuprofen, reduces the second phase of the formalin test and the evoked release of prostaglandin E2 (prostaglandin E2) from rat spinal cord in vitro. Using two selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, SC58125 (1-[(4-methysufonyl)phenyl]-3-tri-fluoromethyl-5-(4-fluorophenyl)p yrazole) and SC-236 (4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfon amide), we observed that neither agent at the highest dose/concentration employed altered the second phase of the formalin test after intrathecal delivery or K+-evoked prostaglandin E2 release from spinal cord in vitro, although ibuprofen was effective in both models. These observations suggest that cyclooxygenase-2 may not be associated with spinal prostanoid synthesis acutely or with facilitated nociception which occurs within the limited time frame of the formalin test.