Meloxicam, a Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitor, Stimulates Myelopoiesis in Irradiated Mice Via Induction of G-CSF

Meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug acting on the principle of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition and having an improved side-effect profile in terms of the gastrointestinal toxicity, has been found to stimulate hematopoiesis in whole-body sub-lethally or mid-lethally gamma-irradiated mice. Studies on mechanisms of the hematopoiesis-stimulating action of meloxicam have revealed elevated serum levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) within the interval of 24 hours after the administration of the drug. Induction of production of G-CSF may be, thus, supposed to be at least partially responsible for the observed beneficial effects of meloxicam in mice with radiation-induced myelosuppression. This work was supported by the Grant Agency of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (Grant No. 1QS500040507)