TY - JOUR T1 - Celecoxib has a positive effect on the overall metabolism of hyaluronan and proteoglycans in human osteoarthritic cartilage. JF - The Journal of Rheumatology JO - J Rheumatol SP - 2444 LP - 2451 VL - 30 IS - 11 AU - Hafida El Hajjaji AU - Annette Marcelis AU - Jean-Pierre Devogelaer AU - Daniel-Henri Manicourt Y1 - 2003/11/01 UR - http://www.jrheum.org/content/30/11/2444.abstract N2 - OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase (COX-2) selective inhibitor, on the metabolism of hyaluronan (HA) and proteoglycans (PG) in human cartilage explants with midrange severity of osteoarthritis (OA). Results were compared with those of diclofenac, a non-selective COX inhibitor. METHODS: Cartilage specimens (OA grade 4-8 on Mankin's scale) were pulsed with 3H -glucosamine and chased in the absence or presence of 1-10 micro g/ml of celecoxib or diclofenac. After papain digestion, the labeled chondroitin sulfate and HA molecules were purified by anion-exchange chromatography. RESULTS: Diclofenac did not affect the metabolic balance of PG and HA whereas, in a relatively dose-dependent manner, celecoxib increased the synthesis of HA and PG; celecoxib also reduced the net loss of labeled HA and PG molecules from cartilage explants. CONCLUSION: In short term in vitro cultures, celecoxib has a favorable effect on the overall metabolism of PG and HA. It is therefore unlikely that this drug would have a detrimental effect on articular cartilage during longterm administration. Further, celecoxib might help counteract the depletion of HA seen in OA cartilage. ER -