Comparison of Lornoxicam and Rofecoxib in Patients with Activated Osteoarthritis (COLOR Study)

Effects of NSAIDs on the osteogenic differentiation of human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells

OBJECTIVES

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), used in the treatment of musculoskeletal pathologies, have been associated with impaired bone healing, possibly through inhibition of osteogenic differentiation. The adipose tissue (AT) is regarded as an attractive source of stromal cells for autologous cell transplantation in the bone. The effects of NSAIDs on human AT-derived stromal cells (hADSCs) are unknown.

METHODS

We examined the effect of several NSAIDs including meloxicam, parecoxib, lornoxicam, diclofenac and paracetamol on the proliferation of hADSCs by means of the PrestoBlue^® viability assay, and the osteogenic differentiation capacity of hADSCs by means of the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium deposition by alizarin red staining and osteogenic gene expression by semi-quantitative PCR.

KEY FINDINGS

Most of the drugs enhanced hADSC cell growth, while either positively affecting or not influencing alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium deposition and osteogenic gene expression. Moreover, selective COX-2 inhibitor NSAIDs, such as meloxicam or parecoxib, were advantageous over the non-selective COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitor NSAIDs lornoxicam and diclofenac.

CONCLUSIONS

Altogether through this study, we show that NSAIDs, possibly depending on their selectivity for COX inhibition, leave the osteogenic differentiation capacity of hADSCs unaltered or might even enhance it.

NSAIDS inhibit in vitro MSC chondrogenesis but not osteogenesis: implications for mechanism of bone formation inhibition in man

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for analgesia but may inhibit bone formation. We investigated whether the reported NSAID effect on bone is related to inhibition of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) proliferation and osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation and evaluated both cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 specific drugs. The effects of seven COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors on MSC proliferation and osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation were tested using Vybrant, sodium 3'-[1-(phenylaminocarbonyl)- 3,4-tetrazolium]-bis (4-methoxy-6-nitro) benzene sulfonic acid hydrate (XTT), functional and quantitative assays of MSC differentiation. The MSC expression of COX-1 and COX-2 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE-2) levels were evaluated serially during lineage differentiation by quantitative PCR and ELISA. None of the NSAIDs at broad range of concentration (range 10(-3) to 100 μg/ml) significantly affected MSC proliferation. Surprisingly, MSC osteogenic differentiation inhibition was not evident. However, NSAIDs affected chondrogenic potential with a reduction in sulphated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG) content by 45% and 55% with diclofenac and ketorolac, respectively (P < 0.05 compared to controls). Parecoxib and meloxicam, more COX-2 specific reagents inhibited sGAG to a lesser degree, 22% and 27% respectively (P < 0.05 compared to controls). Cartilage pellet immunohistochemistry confirmed the above results. Pellet chondrogenesis was associated with increased COX-1 expression levels but not COX-2, and COX-1 specific drugs suppressed MSC PGE-2 more than COX-2 specific inhibitors. These findings suggest that NSAIDs may inhibit bone formation via blockage of MSC chondrogenic differentiation which is an important intermediate phase in normal endochondral bone formation.

Efficacy of ibuprofen versus lornoxicam after third molar surgery: a randomized, double-blind, crossover pilot study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to compare the analgesic efficacy and tolerability of a pre-emptive/post-surgery 4-day regimen of oral ibuprofen 400 mg with that of lornoxicam 8 mg.

METHODS

Sixteen patients received ibuprofen or lornoxicam, respectively, before and after surgery of impacted third molars in two separate appointments, in a double-blind, randomized, and crossover design. The postoperative analgesic and rescue medication consumption was recorded and pain scores were evaluated with a visual analogue scale at 2, 6, 24, 48, and 72 h, postoperatively.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences were found between ibuprofen 400 mg and lornoxicam 8 mg with respect to study medication (p = 0.34) or rescue analgesic consumption (p = 0.5) (SUMstudy and SUMrescue). Ibuprofen: SUMstudy median 7.5 interquartile range IQR (4.25-8), 95% CI (4.6-7.7); SUMrescue median and IQR 0, 95% CI (-0.6-4.6). Lornoxicam: SUMstudy median 7 IQR (3.75-9), 95% CI (7.7-4.9); SUMrescue median and IQR 0, 95% CI (-0.7-2.7). The area under the pain intensity curve (AUC(2-72) PI) over the 4 days of investigation did not reveal significant differences between the two medications (p = 0.32). AUC(2-72) PI ibuprofen: median 1,509.7 IQR (712.36-2,444.65); 95% CI (1,078.7-2,156.5). AUC(2-72) PI lornoxicam: median 1,166.9 IQR (783.4-2,221.2), 95% CI (1,032-2,130.6). Moreover, patient satisfaction and incidence of adverse events did not reveal any significant differences between treatment groups.

CONCLUSION

Ibuprofen 400 mg and lornoxicam 8 mg were rated as equal and effective pain treatment medication after wisdom tooth surgery. In comparison, neither of the drugs provided clinical advantages nor did side effects occur more frequently after one of the analgesics.

Efficacy and safety of lornoxicam compared with placebo and diclofenac in acute sciatica/lumbo-sciatica: an analysis from a randomised, double-blind, multicentre, parallel-group study

AIM

The efficacy and safety of oral lornoxicam (LNX) as early treatment of acute sciatica/lumbo-sciatica was compared with placebo and diclofenac in a 5-day double-blind, randomised study.

METHODS

Male or female patients (n = 171) aged 18-70 years with acute sciatica or lumbo-sciatica [acute sciatica defined as typical radiation of pain along the sciatic nerve (including radiating pain below the knee) and worsening of pain as defined by Lasegue's leg-raising test (< 60 degrees ) within 72 h and previous attack ceased > 3 months previously; lumbo-sciatica defined as symptoms of sciatica with concurrent lumbar pain and a predefined minimum pain score]. The dosage of study treatment was 8-24 mg/day LNX, 100-150 mg/day diclofenac or placebo. The primary end-point was the difference in pain intensity difference from baseline to 6 h (PID(0-6 h)) after the first dose of study treatment. Secondary end-points were pain relief, the cumulative sums of pain intensity difference and total pain relief on day 1 and on days 2-4.

RESULTS

In total, 164 patients completed the study. Significant differences in PID between LNX and placebo were seen in the time interval 3-8 h after the first dose including PID(0-6 h) (p = 0.015). Secondary end-points favoured LNX vs. placebo, but in general were not significantly different. LNX and diclofenac had similar analgesic effect. Incidence and severity of adverse events were comparable for the three treatments; overall tolerability was rated as very good/good by 93% of the patients.

CONCLUSION

These data indicate that the analgesic efficacy of LNX is superior to placebo and similar to diclofenac in acute sciatica/lumbo-sciatica.

Comparative assessment of the effectiveness and tolerability of lornoxicam 8 mg BID and diclofenac 50 mg TID in adult indian patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee: A 4-week, double-blind, randomized, comparative, multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Reports of cardiovascular adverse events (AEs) associated with the use of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) have prompted the quest for a better-tolerated NSAID.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness and tolerability of lornoxicam 8 mg BID and diclofenac 50 mg TID in adult Indian patients with OA of the hip or knee.

METHODS

This 4-week, double-blind, randomized, comparative, multicenter study was undertaken to compare oral lornoxicam and diclofenac in patients with OA. Patients who met the selection criteria were enrolled consecutively from the outpatient clinics of each of the participating hospitals in India. Participants completed the Western Ontario and McMasters Individual Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC-OA), WOMAC Composite Index (WOMAC-CI) (for pain, stiffness, and physical function), and a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS) (0-10 where 0 = no pain and 10 = worst possible pain or severe or excruciating pain) at each study visit (weeks 0 [baseline], 2, and 4 [or at early termination]). Patients' and physicians' global assessments of arthritis control were measured at each study visit when laboratory and clinical AEs were also monitored. The primary end points were the WOMAC-OA, the WOMAC-CI, and VAS scores for pain among the patients who completed the study.

RESULTS

Of the 273 patients (159 men, 114 women; mean [SD] age, 44.73 [10.72] years; range, 28-68 years) enrolled in the study, 13 (7 in the lornoxicam group and 6 in the diclofenac group) were lost to follow-up and their effectiveness and tolerability results were not included in the study analysis. Over the 4-week study period, both drugs provided significant (P < 0.05) sustained relief of OA symptoms compared with baseline. Compared with baseline, the mean pain score (WOMAC-CI) decreased 90.6% (13.88 [4.47] vs 1.30 [1.49]; P < 0.05) in the lornoxicam group and 88.9% (14.15 [4.56] vs 1.57 [1.49]; P < 0.05) in the diclofenac group after 4 weeks of treatment. After 4 weeks of treatment, the VAS pain score decreased from baseline 83.1% (8.04 [2.70] vs 1.36 [1.43]; P < 0.05) in the lornoxicam group and 79.3% (7.98 [2.98] vs 1.65 [1.47]; P < 0.05) in the diclofenac group. Compared with baseline, the improvement rated at 2 weeks was not significantly different between the 2 groups. Lornoxicam and diclofenac were well tolerated. The rate of mild to moderate adverse gastrointestinal events was not significantly different in the lornoxicam group compared with the diclofenac group (14.6% vs 18.4%). Similarly, overall tolerability between the 2 groups was not significantly different. None of the patients experienced cardiovascular AEs (eg, edema or increased blood pressure).

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study suggest that lornoxicam was comparable to diclofenac in effectiveness and tolerability after 4 weeks of treatment in these adult Indian patients with OA of the hip or knee who completed the study.