ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate effects of celecoxib on the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), apoptotic protease activation factor-1 (Apaf-1) and function of mobility in rat model of severe craniocerebral trauma. Methods For?ty-eight adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided by random number table into four groups. Normal group was given no manipulation. Sham group was given scalp incision and sutured. The severe closed craniocerebral injury model was estab?lished via Foda method in rats of injury group. Treatment group was given intraperitoneal injection of celecoxib [ 250 mg/(kg·6 h)] on the basis of injury group. The intraperitoneal injection of same volume of normal saline was given in the other three groups. Samples were taken altogether after 72 hours. Changes of COX-2 and Apaf-1 were detected by immunohistochemis?try and Western blot assay. Ten days after the restoration, six rats were taken from each group for assessing neurological im?pairment scale (NSS). Results The expression levels of COX-2 and Apaf-1 were significantly higher in injury group than those of other groups. The expression levels of COX-2 and Apaf-1 were significantly lower in treatment group than those of injury group but the levels were significantly higher than those of sham group and normal group (P < 0.05). NSS scores showed that rats in treatment group improved mobility compared with that of injury group (P<0.05), but there was difference compared with Sham group and control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Celecoxib, with its specific inhibitoty effect on pro?tein COX-2, can effectively reduce inflammatory reactions lower the expression of Apaf-1 and reduce apoptosis of neurons, improving the prognosis of dysfunction of mobility after craniocerebral injury.