Is there an inhibitory effect of COX-2 inhibitors on bone healing?

Andrew B Seidenberg; Yuehuei H An

doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2003.12.017

Is there an inhibitory effect of COX-2 inhibitors on bone healing?

Pharmacol Res. 2004 Aug;50(2):151-6. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2003.12.017.

Authors

Andrew B Seidenberg¹, Yuehuei H An

Affiliation

¹ Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Suite 708, Charleston, SC, USA.

PMID: 15177303
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2003.12.017

Abstract

The use of the new selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors (such as celecoxib and rofecoxib) for the treatment of pain and inflammation caused by fractures, cementless total joint replacements, soft tissue healing to bone, and spinal fusion surgeries has been controversial due to the convincing data collected from nonspecific NSAIDs such as indomethacin and naproxen regarding their inhibitory effects on bone healing and the similar effects of COX-2 specific NSAIDs in animal models. Is there a significant inhibitory effect of COX-2 inhibitors on bone healing in humans? To answer this question, we reviewed existing scientific evidence (based mainly on a MedLine search) of the potential effects of COX-2 inhibitors on bone healing. The literature shows that COX-2 inhibitors do have inhibitory effects on bone healing in animal models, but the effects of COX-2 inhibitors on similar processes in humans remain largely unknown.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / adverse effects*
Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / metabolism
Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
Disease Models, Animal
Fracture Healing / drug effects*
Humans
Retrospective Studies

Substances

Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors