Background: The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is frequently limited by adverse effects resulting from the disruption of homeostatic functions of prostaglandins.
Objectives: This study was aimed at the evaluation of the effect of selective COX-2 inhibitor meloxicam on vasoconstrictor responses to noradrenaline (NA) in rabbit renal artery chosen as a model vessel and in rabbit ear artery as a peripheral artery under in vitro conditions.
Methods: Rabbit renal and ear arteries were perfused at constant flow. Vascular responses to NA before and after meloxicam administration and after deendothelisation by air bubbles were measured and registered as changes in perfusion pressure.
Results: It was found out that vasoconstrictor responses to noradrenaline when exposed to meloxicam were not enhanced significantly in both arterial preparations. Deendothelisation itself did not increase responses affected by meloxicam in the renal and ear arteries but in comparison with control groups the responses were significantly augmented, especially in the ear artery.
Conclusions: The results obtained in this study demonstrate that meloxicam had not affected adversely the vasoconstrictor activity in different types of vessels without selectivity on vascular beds. Endothelial removal potentiated vasoconstrictor responses in arteries pre-treated by meloxicam when compared with intact vessels. (Tab. 2, Fig. 4, Ref. 19.)