PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Cristina Vidal
AU  - Almudena Gómez-Hernández
AU  - Eva Sánchez-Galán
AU  - Alejandro González
AU  - Luis Ortega
AU  - Juan Antonio Gómez-Gerique
AU  - José Tuñón
AU  - Jesús Egido
TI  - Licofelone, a Balanced Inhibitor of Cyclooxygenase and 5-Lipoxygenase, Reduces Inflammation in a Rabbit Model of Atherosclerosis
AID  - 10.1124/jpet.106.110361
DP  - 2007 Jan 01
TA  - Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
PG  - 108--116
VI  - 320
IP  - 1
4099  - http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/320/1/108.short
4100  - http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/320/1/108.full
SO  - J Pharmacol Exp Ther2007 Jan 01; 320
AB  - Licofelone, a dual anti-inflammatory drug that inhibits 5-lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, may have a better cardiovascular profile that cycloxygenase-2 inhibitors due to cycloxygenase-1 blockade-mediated antithrombotic effect and a better gastrointestinal tolerability. We examined the anti-inflammatory effect of licofelone on atherosclerotic lesions as well as in isolated neutrophils from whole blood of rabbits compared with a selective inhibitor of COX-2, rofecoxib. We also assessed the antithrombotic effect of licofelone in rabbit platelet-rich plasma. For this purpose, 30 rabbits underwent injury of femoral arteries, and they were randomized to receive 10 mg/kg/day licofelone or 5 mg/kg/day rofecoxib or no treatment during 4 weeks with atherogenic diet in all cases. Ten healthy rabbits were used as controls. Neutrophils and platelets were isolated from peripheral blood of rabbits for ex vivo studies. Licofelone reduced intima/media ratio in injured arteries, the macrophages infiltration in the neointimal area, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) gene expression, and the activation of nuclear factor-κB in rabbit atheroma. Moreover, licofelone inhibited COX-2 and 5-LOX protein expression in vascular lesions. Rofecoxib only diminished COX-2 protein expression and MCP-1 gene expression in vascular atheroma. Prostaglandin E2 in rabbit plasma was attenuated by both drugs. Licofelone almost abolished 5-LOX activity by inhibiting leukotriene B4 generation in rabbit neutrophils and prevented platelet thromboxane B2 production from whole blood. Licofelone reduces neointimal formation and inflammation in an atherosclerotic rabbit model more markedly than rofecoxib. This effect, together with the antiplatelet activity of licofelone, suggests that this drug may have a favorable cardiovascular profile. The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics