Open AccessSuppression of Intestinal Polyp Development by Nimesulide, a Selective Cyclooxygenase‐2 Inhibitor, in Min Mice
Author(s) -
Nakatsugi Seiichi,
Fukutake Masato,
Takahashi Mami,
Fukuda Kazunori,
Isoi Takashi,
Taniguchi Yasuaki,
Sugimura Takashi,
Wakabayashi Keiji
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
japanese journal of cancer research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 0910-5050
DOI - 10.1111/j.1349-7006.1997.tb00337.x
Subject(s) - nimesulide , cyclooxygenase , prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase , enzyme inhibitor , medicine , pharmacology , chemistry , biochemistry , enzyme
Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) suppress colon carcinogenesis in man and experimental animals. However, conventional NSAIDs inhibit both cyclooxygenase (COX) isoforms, COX‐1 and COX‐2, and cause gastrointestinal side‐effects. Nimesulide, a selective inhibitor of COX‐2, is much less ulcerogenic. We, therefore, examined its influence on the development of intestinal polyps in Min mice. Female Min mice at 4 weeks old were given 400 ppm nimesulide in their diet for 11 weeks. This treatment resulted in a significant reduction of the numbers of both small and large intestinal polyps, the total being 52% of that in untreated control Min mice. The size of the polyps in the nimesulide‐treated group was also significantly decreased. The results suggest that nimesulide is a good candidate as a chemopreventive agent for human colon cancer with low toxicity.