Analysis of RNA recovery and gene expression in the epidermis using non-invasive tape stripping.

BACKGROUND: The recovery of RNA from the upper epidermis by tape stripping yields variable RNA mass but has not been evaluated for its dependence on anatomical location. Gene expression at different body locations and the origin of RNA recovered by tape stripping have not been investigated. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the recovery of RNA from different anatomical locations by tape stripping; to correlate the recovery of RNA and removal of barrier by tape stripping, as assayed by transepidermal water loss; and to investigate gene expression in the upper epidermis at different body locations. METHODS: Twelve subjects were tape stripped at 15 body locations. RNA mass was evaluated and gene expression assayed. Subjects were tape stripped 4, 8 and 12 times on the upper back and transepidermal water loss and RNA recovery assayed. RESULTS: Ranked by median RNA recovery, the following order was observed: mastoid>forehead>chest>upper back>mid back>cheek>lower back>deltoid>forearm>abdomen>ventral thigh>inner arm>shin>dorsal thigh>lower leg. Expression of the housekeeping gene mRNAs is found to be uniform and reproducible while IL-8 and TNFalpha mRNAs are expressed in different quantities both at different body sites within an individual and between individuals at a specific anatomical site. Data show a significant and high correlation between the number of tapes used to strip a site and transepidermal water loss but no strong correlation between transepidermal water loss and RNA recovery or number of tapes used to strip a site and RNA recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects and anatomical location are shown to be significantly different for the ability to recover RNA by tape stripping. We hypothesize that RNA recovered by tape strip is not derived from corneocytes but from cells associated with the stratum corneum.

Valdecoxib, a cyclooxygenase-2-specific inhibitor, is effective in treating primary dysmenorrhea.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2-specific inhibitor valdecoxib with naproxen sodium in treating menstrual pain associated with primary dysmenorrhea. METHOD: This single-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover study compared the efficacy and safety of single oral doses of valdecoxib 20 mg and 40 mg with naproxen sodium 550 mg, or placebo, with an option of treatment for up to 3 days, twice daily. Efficacy was assessed by time-weighted sum of total pain relief, sum of pain intensity difference, time-specific pain relief, and pain intensity difference over 12 hours, time to rescue medication or first re-medication, the percentage of patients taking rescue medication, and patient's global evaluation of study medication. RESULTS: Mean time-weighted sum of total pain relief and sum of pain intensity difference were significantly superior to placebo for the first 8 and 12 hours after the initial dose of valdecoxib 20 mg (P <.01) and 40 mg (P <.001). Valdecoxib 20 mg and 40 mg were comparable to naproxen sodium 550 mg for all efficacy measures. Other differences in efficacy measures favoring the higher dose of valdecoxib did not achieve statistical significance, with the exception of sum of pain intensity difference-12. Both doses of valdecoxib were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Both valdecoxib 20- and 40-mg doses were effective and well tolerated for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. Valdecoxib 20 mg and 40 mg demonstrate analgesic efficacy, based on onset, magnitude, and duration of analgesia that is similar to naproxen sodium, making it a potential choice for treating women with primary dysmenorrhea.

Valdecoxib does not impair platelet function.

The platelet effects of a supratherapeutic dose of the new cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 specific inhibitor, valdecoxib (40 mg twice a day), naproxen 500 mg twice a day, diclofenac 75 mg twice a day, and placebo were compared in 62 healthy adult subjects in this 7(1/2) day single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Platelet aggregation responses (to arachidonate [AA], collagen, and adenosine diphosphate [ADP]), bleeding time, and serum thromboxane B(2) (TxB(2)) concentrations were measured at baseline and at regular intervals on days 1 and 8. Valdecoxib had no effect on platelet function. Naproxen and diclofenac significantly reduced the platelet aggregation response to AA and to a lesser extent collagen and ADP at most assessments compared with placebo. Naproxen significantly lowered serum TxB(2) levels. In contrast to standard doses of 2 nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a supratherapeutic valdecoxib dosage does not impair platelet function (COX-1). Valdecoxib may be a safer analgesic option than conventional NSAIDs in patients for whom bleeding complications are a concern. (Am J Emerg Med 2002;20:275-281.

The analgesic efficacy of valdecoxib vs. oxycodone/acetaminophen after oral surgery.

BACKGROUND: The authors conducted two studies to compare the analgesic efficacy and safety of the cyclooxygenase, or COX, -2-specific inhibitor, valdecoxib, with oxycodone/ acetaminophen in patients who have undergone oral surgery. METHODS: In total, 205 eligible subjects in Study A and 201 in Study B were randomized to receive a single oral dose of valdecoxib (20 or 40 milligrams), a combination of oxycodone 10 mg/acetaminophen 1,000 mg or placebo. Eligible subjects experienced moderate-to-severe pain within six hours of surgery during which two or more impacted third molars were extracted. Analgesic efficacy was assessed over 24 hours or until the patient required rescue analgesia. RESULTS: In both studies, subjects receiving either dose of valdecoxib experienced a rapid onset of analgesia and (among those who received valdecoxib 40 mg) a level of pain relief comparable with that of those who received oxycodone/ acetaminophen. Both valdecoxib doses had a significantly longer duration of analgesic effect than did oxycodone/acetaminophen. Pooled safety data demonstrated that each valdecoxib dose had a tolerability profile superior to that of oxycodone/ acetaminophen and similar to that of placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Orally administered valdecoxib is as rapidly acting and effective as oxycodone/acetaminophen, and it has a superior duration of analgesic effect in patients after oral surgery. Valdecoxib has a tolerability profile superior to that of oxycodone/acetaminophen. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The current standard of care for alleviating acute pain after oral surgery has rested largely on conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or opioid/analgesic combination products. The studies reported here suggest that the COX-2-specific inhibitor valdecoxib offers an efficacious and safe alternative to other analgesics used to treat pain after oral surgery.

Upper GI mucosal effects of parecoxib sodium in healthy elderly subjects.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the upper GI mucosal effects of i.v. parecoxib sodium with i.v. ketorolac tromethamine and placebo in healthy elderly subjects. METHODS: This was a two-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Healthy subjects aged 65-75 yr who were shown at baseline endoscopy to have no gastric or duodenal lesions received either parecoxib sodium 40 mg b.i.d. for 7 days, ketorolac 15 mg q.i.d. for 5 days, or placebo for 7 days. Endoscopy was repeated at the end of dosing. Measures of upper GI effects were: 1) ulceration, 2) incidence of an ulcer and/or any erosions, and 3) incidence of an ulcer and/or > or = 11 erosions in the stomach, duodenum, or both. RESULTS: No gastric or duodenal ulcers occurred in any subjects receiving parecoxib sodium (n = 29) or placebo (n = 32). In contrast, seven (23%) of the 31 ketorolac subjects had at least one ulcer; five (16%) had gastric ulcers, and two (6%) had duodenal ulcers (p < 0.05 vs parecoxib sodium and placebo for gastroduodenal ulcers and for gastric ulcers). A total of 28 (90%) ketorolac subjects had an ulcer or at least one erosion in the stomach, compared with incidences of four (14%) and two (6%) for parecoxib sodium and placebo, respectively. Incidences of duodenal ulcers/erosions were 45% (n = 14) for ketorolac, 10% (n = 3) for parecoxib sodium, and none for placebo. The differences between ketorolac and both other treatment groups were statistically significant for both stomach and duodenum. No parecoxib sodium or placebo subjects had an ulcer or > or = 11 erosions in the stomach, compared with eight (26%) ketorolac subjects (p < 0.05 vs both parecoxib sodium and placebo). No subject in any group had > or = 11 duodenal erosions. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that multiple dose administration of parecoxib sodium is safe and well tolerated in healthy elderly subjects, with a decreased risk of gastroduodenal mucosal injury compared with ketorolac.