Stimulated release of arachidonic acid from rat liver cells by celecoxib and indomethacin.

The selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX) inhibitor, celecoxib, and the non-selective COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitor, indomethacin, at microM concentrations, stimulate the release of arachidonic acid from rat liver cells (the C-9 cell line). Other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were tested, including salicylic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, sulindac sulfone, sulindac sulfide, ibuprofen, piroxicam and the selective COX-2 inhibitor, rofecoxib, and the analgesic, acetaminophen. These compounds do not stimulate the release of arachidonic acid. The stimulated release by celecoxib is not affected by dexamethasone or the translation and transcription inhibitors, actinomycin and cycloheximide. The increased arachidonic acid release may be associated with induction of apoptosis. Copyright 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.