Donate Help Contact The AHA Sign In Home
American Heart Association
Circulation
Search: search_blue_button Advanced Search
Circulation. 2007;115:326-332
Published online before print January 8, 2007, doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.106.647230
This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
115/3/326    most recent
CIRCULATIONAHA.106.647230v1
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Timmers, L.
Right arrow Articles by de Kleijn, D. P.V.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Timmers, L.
Right arrow Articles by de Kleijn, D. P.V.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
*Compound via MeSH
*Substance via MeSH
Hazardous Substances DB
*CELECOXIB
Medline Plus Health Information
*Heart Attack
Related Collections
Right arrow Remodeling
Right arrow Acute myocardial infarction

(Circulation. 2007;115:326-332.)
© 2007 American Heart Association, Inc.


Heart Failure

Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibition Increases Mortality, Enhances Left Ventricular Remodeling, and Impairs Systolic Function After Myocardial Infarction in the Pig

Leo Timmers, MD; Joost P.G. Sluijter, PhD; Cees W.J. Verlaan, BSc; Paul Steendijk, MD, PhD; Maarten Jan Cramer, MD, PhD; Maringa Emons, BSc; Chaylendra Strijder, BSc; Paul F. Gründeman, MD, PhD; Siu Kwan Sze, PhD; Lin Hua, PhD; Jan J. Piek, MD, PhD; Cornelius Borst, MD, PhD; Gerard Pasterkamp, MD, PhD; Dominique P.V. de Kleijn, PhD

From the Department of Cardiology, UMC Utrecht (L.T., J.P.G.S., C.W.J.V., M.J.C., M.E., C.S., P.F.G., C.B., G.P., D.P.V.d.K.), Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Cardiology, Leiden UMC (P.S.), Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Cardiology, AMC Amsterdam (L.T., J.J.P.), Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Genome Institute of Singapore (S.K.S., L.H.), Genome, Singapore; and Interuniversity Cardiology Institute of the Netherlands (J.P.G.S., D.P.V.d.K.), Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Correspondence to D.P.V de Kleijn, PhD, Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands. E-mail d.dekleijn{at}umcutrecht.nl

Received June 21, 2006; accepted October 31, 2006.


*    Abstract
up arrowTop
*Abstract
down arrowIntroduction
down arrowMethods
down arrowResults
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowReferences
 
Background— Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression in the heart increases after myocardial infarction (MI). In murine models of MI, COX-2 inhibition preserves left ventricular dimensions and function. We studied the effect of selective COX-2 inhibition on left ventricular remodeling and function after MI in a pig model.

Methods and Results— Twenty-two pigs were assigned to COX-2 inhibition with a COX-2 inhibitor (COX-2i; celecoxib 400 mg twice daily; n=14) or a control group (n=8). MI was induced by left circumflex coronary artery ligation, and the animals were euthanized 6 weeks later. Cardiac dimensions and function were assessed with echocardiography and conductance catheters. Infarct size and collagen density were analyzed with triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining and picrosirius red staining, respectively. COX-2 inhibition increased mortality compared with controls (50% versus 0%, P=0.022), whereas infarct size was similar (13.1±0.7% versus 14.1±0.1%, P=0.536). The decrease in thickness of the infarcted myocardial wall was more pronounced in the COX-2i group (60.6±9.6% versus 36.2±5.7%, P=0.001). End-diastolic volume was higher in the COX-2i group (133.9±33.5 versus 91.1±24.0 mL; P=0.021), as was the end-systolic volume at 100 mm Hg (81.7±27.8 versus 56.3±21.1 mL; P=0.037), which indicates that systolic function was more severely impaired. Infarct collagen density was lower after COX-2i treatment (25.3±3.9 versus 56.1±23.8 gray value/mm2; P=0.005).

Conclusions— In pigs, COX-2 inhibition after MI is associated with increased mortality, enhanced left ventricular remodeling, and impaired systolic function, probably due to decreased infarct collagen fiber density.


Key Words: myocardial infarction • heart failure • remodeling • enzymes


*    Introduction
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
*Introduction
down arrowMethods
down arrowResults
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowReferences
 
Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Western countries. Left ventricular (LV) dilatation is commonly observed as a complication after MI and may lead to deterioration of cardiac performance over time and contribute to the progression into congestive heart failure. Many strategies (eg, use of ß-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) that have been developed to attenuate expansive remodeling, or even to reverse this process, are now integrated in the treatment of patients who have experienced an MI. Despite these advances in the management of MI, the number of patients with congestive heart failure continues to grow and remains associated with a >10-fold elevated risk of death.1 Therefore, the search for new and effective treatments is mandatory.

Editorial p 288

Cyclooxygenases (COX) are enzymes that catalyze the rate-limiting step of prostanoid synthesis. Two isoforms of the enzyme are currently characterized. COX-1 is constitutively expressed in many organs to mediate physiological responses and regulate homeostasis, whereas COX-2 is generally considered to be inducible and upregulated in pathological conditions such as inflammation. COX-2 expression in the heart also increases rapidly after MI,2 which appears to have a protective function, because inhibition or absence of COX-2 increases infarct size in experimental models of ischemia-reperfusion injury.3,4 COX-2 also influences LV remodeling after MI. Several of the traditional nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, inhibitors of both COX-1 and COX-2, have been shown to enhance LV dilatation and infarct expansion after experimentally induced MI.5–7 Administration of these drugs to patients after MI may lead to the formation of ventricular aneurysms and ruptures. Low-dose aspirin promotes perivascular and interstitial fibrosis but does not alter infarct collagen content, cardiac dimensions, or function after MI in rats.8

Selective inhibition of only COX-2 preserves cardiac dimensions and function in murine animal models of MI.9,10 Studies in humanlike preclinical large-animal models, however, are crucial to examine whether COX-2 inhibition may benefit patients after MI by counteracting LV remodeling.

Selective COX-2 inhibitors were originally developed to bypass the risk of gastrointestinal side effects of traditional (ie, nonselective) nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Recently, however, it became evident that COX-2 inhibitors increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events,11–13 which formed the basis for recent concern about the use of COX-2 inhibitors, particularly in patients at risk for cardiovascular disease. Consequently, it is of major importance to map in detail the consequences of COX-2 inhibition in patients at risk for cardiovascular problems, including a possible effect on LV remodeling. We therefore investigated the effect of selective COX-2 inhibition on post-MI LV remodeling in a porcine model of MI.


*    Methods
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
*Methods
down arrowResults
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowReferences
 
Animals
All experiments were performed in accordance with the "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals" prepared by the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources and with prior approval by the Animal Experimentation Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, Utrecht University, the Netherlands.

Study Design
In 26 female Dalland Landrace pigs (weight 60.3±1.4 kg; IDDLO, Lelystad, The Netherlands), an MI was induced surgically. One day after surgery, the animals were randomly assigned to COX-2 inhibitor (COX-2i) treatment (400 mg of celecoxib [Pfizer, Inc, Capelle a/d IJssel, The Netherlands] twice daily mixed through normal feeding from the day after surgery until termination) or a control group receiving no treatment. The animals were allowed to recover from the operation and were euthanized 6 weeks later. All animals were treated with clopidogrel 75 mg/d and sotalol 320 mg/d from 4 days before surgery until termination of the study to prevent thrombosis and arrhythmias.

Anesthesia
After an overnight fast, the pigs were sedated with ketamine (10 mg/kg), midazolam (0.5 mg/kg), and atropin (0.04 mg/kg) and induced with thiopental (4 mg/kg) before they were intubated and connected to a respirator for intermittent positive pressure ventilation with a mixture of oxygen and air (1:1 vol/vol). A venous catheter was placed in an ear vein for continuous administration of saline and anesthetic drugs. (A loading dose of midazolam [0.5 mg/kg] and sufentanil citrate [6 µg/kg] was administered before ventilation.) Anesthesia was maintained by continuous infusion of midazolam (0.7 mg · kg–1 · h–1), whereas analgesia was obtained by continuous infusion of sufentanil citrate (6 µg · kg–1 · h–1) and muscle relaxation by infusion of pancuronium bromide (0.1 mg · kg–1 · h–1). Before surgery, 160 mg of sotalol was infused intravenously in 30 minutes to prevent cardiac arrhythmias.

MI and Operational Procedure
During the entire operation, ECG, arterial pressure, and capnogram were monitored continuously. After a median sternotomy was performed, a pacing lead was introduced into the right atrium through a small hole in the right auricle to enable measurements at fixed heart rates. LV pressure was measured with a pressure-tipped Millar catheter that was inserted through the apex into the LV. A transonic flow probe (Transonic Systems Inc, Ithaca, NY) was placed around the proximal aorta to measure cardiac output. Before induction of the infarct, echocardiography was performed. Sutures were then tightened to permanently occlude the proximal left circumflex coronary artery. Internal defibrillation with 50 J was used when ventricular fibrillation occurred. After stabilization of hemodynamics and heart rhythm, the thorax was closed, and the animals were allowed to recover in the stable.

Six weeks after induction of the MI, the animals were anesthetized once more, and the sternum was reopened. Echocardiography and conductance catheter–based pressure-volume recordings were obtained to assess cardiac function and geometry. After the functional measurements were obtained, the heart was excised for laboratory analysis.

Hemodynamics
The ECG, arterial pressure, cardiac output, and LV pressure were digitized at a sampling rate of 300 Hz and stored for offline analysis (Sonometrics Corp, Ontario, Canada).

Echocardiography
Short-axis epicardial ultrasound images (Prosound SSD-5000, 5-MHz probe UST-5280-5, Aloka Holding Europe AG, Zug, Switzerland) were obtained at the midpapillary level. Wall thickness (WT) of the infarct area and LV internal area (LVia) were measured at end diastole (ED) and end systole (ES). Systolic wall thickening was calculated as equation


Formula 1

and fractional area shortening as equation


Formula 2

Conductance Catheter Protocol
The conductance catheter method provides a continuous online measurement of LV volume and LV pressure and was performed as described previously.14,15 LV pressure and volume signals derived from the conductance catheter were displayed and acquired at a 250-Hz sampling rate with a Leycom CFL-512 (CD Leycom, Zoetermeer, the Netherlands). Data were acquired during steady state and during temporal caval vein occlusion, all with the ventilator turned off at end expiration. Acquisition was performed at a fixed atrial pacing rate of 80 bpm. Analysis of the pressure-volume loops was performed with custom software as described previously.16 Systolic function was characterized by the position of the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship, quantified by calculating the end-systolic volume intercept at a fixed end-systolic pressure of 100 mm Hg (ESV100). Diastolic chamber stiffness was quantified by means of exponential regression of the end-diastolic pressure-volume relationship.17

Infarct Size
After excision of the heart, the LV was isolated and cut into 5 slices from apex to base. The slices were incubated in 1% triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC, Sigma-Aldrich Chemicals, Zwijndrecht, the Netherlands) in 37°C Sörensen buffer (13.6 g/L KH2PO4+17.8 g/L Na2H PO4 · 2H2O, pH 7.4) for 15 minutes to discriminate infarct tissue from viable myocardium. All slices were scanned from both sides, and in each slide, the infarct area was compared with total area by use of digital planimetry software. After correction for the weight of the slices, infarct size was calculated as a percentage of the LV.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Heparinized full blood samples and serum samples were collected from the treated animals before COX-2i treatment and before euthanasia. Full blood was stimulated for 24 hours at 37°C with 100 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide to induce COX-2. After stimulation, the plasma was collected after 5 minutes of spinning at 1000 rpm, and an ELISA was performed on prostaglandin E2 according to the manufacturer’s instructions (Assay Designs, Ann Arbor, Mich). In the serum samples, thromboxane B2 (the stable metabolite of thromboxane A2, which is downstream of COX-1) was measured with ELISA, also according to the manufacturer’s instructions (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn).

Collagen Density
Samples were taken from the infarct region, border region, and remote area and fixated in 4% formalin for 24 hours before being embedded in paraffin. Quantification of collagen content was performed with picrosirius red staining and digital image microscopy with circular polarized light. The section images were converted into gray-value images that were quantified in 5 randomly picked areas within each section and averaged.

Celecoxib Tissue Content
In 5 additional pigs, of which 3 were treated with celecoxib and 3 served as control animals, an MI was induced as described above. These pigs were euthanized after 7 days to harvest tissue for analysis of collagen turnover and celecoxib tissue quantification. For the celecoxib tissue quantification, frozen tissue was ground to powder in liquid nitrogen and extracted with dichloromethane. One microliter of tissue extraction and 1 µL of matrix solution were mixed on the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization plate according to the procedure of the dried-droplet preparation. Direct quantification of celecoxib was performed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry with an ultraviolet light–absorbing ionic liquid matrix.18 Experiments were performed with a Kratos Axima CFRplus (Shimadzu Biotech, Manchester, United Kingdom) operating in positive reflectron mode.

Data Analysis
Functional data and histological data were collected blindly, and the codes were revealed afterward. Values are presented as mean±SE. Statistical comparison of mortality between treated and nontreated animals was done with Fisher exact test. MI values were compared with baseline values with a Wilcoxon signed rank test. A Mann Whitney U test was used for statistical comparison between treated and nontreated animals. Probability values <0.05 were considered significant.

The authors had full access to the data and take full responsibility for the integrity of the data. All authors have read and agree to the manuscript as written.


*    Results
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowMethods
*Results
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowReferences
 
COX-2i Specificity
To assess whether celecoxib specifically inhibited COX-2, without affecting COX-1, COX-2–dependent prostaglandin E2 production and COX-1–dependent thromboxane B2 production were determined from blood samples of the treated animals. After lipopolysaccharide stimulation, which induces COX-2, prostaglandin E2 production decreased after COX-2i treatment (from 241±71 to 66±25 pg/mL, P=0.028). Conversely, thromboxane B2 levels were not influenced by COX-2i treatment (from 385±96 to 361±99 pg/mL, P=0.310), which indicates that only the activity of the COX-2 isoform was inhibited.

Mortality and Infarct Size
Four animals died perioperatively owing to refractory ventricular fibrillation, before randomization, and were therefore excluded from the present study. Of the remaining 22 animals, 14 were treated with celecoxib, and 8 served as controls. Mortality was significantly higher in the celecoxib-treated animals than in control animals (50% versus 0%; P=0.022), whereas infarct size was similar in both groups (13.1±0.7% versus 14.1±1.0% of the LV; P=0.536). In the COX-2i group, death occurred 3 to 6 weeks after induction of MI as a result of LV rupture (as evidenced during obduction by cardiac tamponade and transmyocardial leakage, n=3), cardiac decompensation (as evidenced by tachypnea, tachycardia, and the presence of pleural and abdominal fluid during obduction, n=2), and sudden death of unknown cause (n=2).

Systemic Hemodynamics: Effect of MI and COX-2i
Hemodynamic parameters are summarized in Table 1. Heart rate and cardiac output remained unchanged after MI and did not differ between the treated and nontreated animals. Mean arterial pressure decreased in the nontreated animals from 109±8.4 to 84.1±3.4 mm Hg (P=0.028) but not in the treated animals (from 97.8±13.4 to 101±7.0 mm Hg, P=1.00). The change in mean arterial pressure, however, was not significantly different between the groups (–29.3±10.2 mm Hg [controls] versus 3.7±13.1 mm Hg [COX-2i], P=0.116). After MI, end-diastolic pressure increased in both treated and nontreated animals from 6.0±0.7 to 13.4±1.6 mm Hg (P=0.018) and from 6.4±0.5 to 14.8±1.9 mm Hg (P=0.028), respectively. No differences were detected between the treated and nontreated animals.


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]

 
TABLE 1. Hemodynamics and Cardiac Geometry and Function Before and After MI in Treated and Control Animals

Regional and Global LV Remodeling: Effect of MI and COX-2i
MI resulted in a decrease of the myocardial wall thickness in the infarct area and remote area (septum) and an increase in LV internal area in treated and nontreated animals. The decrease in wall thickness of the infarct area was more pronounced in the animals treated with celecoxib (60.6±3.6% versus 36.2±2.0% decrease, P<0.001; Figure 1A), as was the increase in LV internal area (100.1±21.3% versus 51.4±7.0% increase, P=0.002; Figure 1B). The absolute values are depicted in Table 1. In addition, both end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were higher in the treated animals than in the nontreated animals (133.9±12.7 versus 90.7±8.5 mL, P=0.021 and 85.8±9.5 versus 56.5±8.3 mL, P=0.029, respectively; Figure 1C).


Figure 1180643
View larger version (19K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]

 
Figure 1. LV dimensions and systolic function. Myocardial wall thickness in the infarct area and the LV internal area were determined with epicardial ultrasound. The decrease in wall thickness (A) and the increase in LV internal area (B) as a percentage of the baseline value were more pronounced in treated animals than in control animals. In addition, end-diastolic and end-systolic volume 6 weeks after MI (C), as measured with a conductance catheter, were higher in treated animals than in controls, which indicates that COX-2i treatment promotes LV dilatation. ESV100 was higher in treated animals (D), which indicates that systolic function was more severely impaired. Control: n=8; COX-2i: n=7. *P≤0.05 compared with baseline value; {dagger}P≤0.05 compared with control animals; {ddagger}P≤0.01 compared with control animals.

Regional and Global Function: Effect of MI and COX-2i
Both regional and global function decreased after MI. After MI, the left circumflex coronary artery perfusion territory was completely akinetic, and fractional area shortening decreased in both treated and nontreated animals (Table 1). The ESV100, as a measure of systolic function, was higher in the treated animals than in the nontreated animals (81.7±10.5 versus 56.3±7.5 mL, P=0.040; Figure 1D). No differences were observed in diastolic and other systolic parameters (Table 1).

Collagen Density
Collagen density in the infarct area was lower after celecoxib treatment (25.3±3.9 versus 56.1±23.8 gray value/mm2; P=0.004). No differences were found in the border area (14.2±1.0 versus 14.0±0.8 gray value/mm2, P=1.000) or remote area (14.8±2.0 versus 12.1±1.1 gray value/mm2, P=0.259; Figures 2 and 3Down).


Figure 2180643
View larger version (106K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]

 
Figure 2. Representative myocardial infarct sections of control animals (A, C) and COX-2i–treated animals (B, D) 6 weeks after MI, stained with picrosirius red. With polarized light, sections of the COX-2i–treated animals were shown to contain a lower collagen density than sections from controls.


Figure 3180643
View larger version (10K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]

 
Figure 3. Collagen density was determined in the infarct, border, and remote areas. No difference between groups was found in the border and remote areas. In the infarct area, however, collagen density was lower in the COX-2i-treated animals. Control: n=8; COX-2i: n=7. *P≤0.05 compared with control animals.

Celecoxib Tissue Concentration
Celecoxib tissue concentration (Table 2) was determined before and after infarction in the infarct, border, and remote areas. No differences were found between infarct area (290±165 µg/g tissue) and border or remote area (295±143 and 288±230 µg/g tissue, respectively). No celecoxib was found before infarction or in control animals.


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]

 
TABLE 2. Celecoxib Concentration in Pig Heart Tissue


*    Discussion
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowMethods
up arrowResults
*Discussion
down arrowReferences
 
In the present study, we investigated the effect of the selective COX-2i celecoxib on post-MI LV remodeling in a porcine model of MI. Left circumflex coronary artery ligation in these pigs resulted in necrosis of the posterior LV wall followed by scar formation, thinning of the infarcted myocardial wall, LV dilatation, and functional impairment. Selective COX-2 inhibition promoted myocardial infarct thinning and LV dilatation. Whereas diastolic and most systolic functional parameters were similar between treated and nontreated animals, ESV100 was higher in the treated animals, which indicates that systolic function was also more severely impaired after COX-2 inhibition. Myocardial collagen density was found to be lower in the infarct area in the treated animals than in nontreated control animals. These findings correlate with higher mortality rates in the treated animals caused by LV ruptures and congestive heart failure.

Somewhat unexpected was that the dP/dtmax did not decrease as a consequence of MI. We would speculate that this finding is due to the load-dependence of dP/dtmax and a compensatory increase in end-diastolic volume, as reflected by the increased LV dimensions obtained by epicardial ultrasound. Ejection fractions of 40.2% and 36.6% in the nontreated and treated animals, respectively, do not point to end-stage heart failure. Nonetheless, COX-2 inhibition negatively influenced mortality, remodeling, and function in this model, which indicates that the inhibitor exerts a strong effect on these end points.

The occurrence and extent of LV remodeling after MI depend on multiple parameters, such as size and location of the infarct,19 mechanical forces, and matrix turnover.20 Location of the infarct in the present study was standardized, and infarct size was similar between treated and nontreated animals, which indicates that COX-2i–induced remodeling was independent of infarct size. COX-2 is known to be involved in cardiomyocyte protection in models of ischemia-reperfusion injury, and COX-2 inhibition increases infarct size in these models.3,21–23 In the present model of permanent coronary artery ligation, however, the probability of cardiomyocytes surviving the duration of the ischemia is minimal in the poorly collateralized porcine heart. Furthermore, COX-2i treatment was started the day after the induction of MI. An effect of COX-2 inhibition on infarct size in the present study was therefore not expected.

A decreased collagen density in the infarct zone induced by COX-2 inhibition was probably responsible for the promotion of expansive LV remodeling in the present study. Although the left circumflex coronary artery was permanently ligated, the COX-2 inhibitor was also found within the infarct zone, 1 week after the start of the treatment, and could therefore have affected collagen turnover. We found no evidence, however, for COX-2i–induced differences in gelatinase and collagenase protein expression or in procollagen I and transforming growth factor-ß mRNA expression. After coronary occlusion, cardiomyocytes residing in the perfusion territory of the infarct-related artery perish and are replaced by fibrous scar tissue. A decreased collagen density might have had a negative impact on the firmness of the myocardial scar, which facilitates remodeling driven by increasing wall stresses after MI. Enhanced infarct thinning and impaired function after MI has also been described for nonselective inhibition of cyclooxygenases.5–7 These inhibitors act on both COX-1 and COX-2, and it is unknown whether the effect on remodeling is to be attributed to COX-1, COX-2, or both isoforms. In contrast to the results of the present study, selective COX-2 inhibition in small-animal models preserved cardiac dimensions and improved function after MI,9,10 as well as after doxorubicin-induced heart failure.24 In those studies, however, other selective COX-2 inhibitors were used. Although it is unlikely that different COX-2 inhibitors produce fundamentally different outcomes, it cannot be completely excluded. A decreased interstitial collagen fraction was found in the noninfarcted myocardium in mice, whereas collagen in the infarct area had not been analyzed. In the present study, we found no differences in collagen in the border and remote myocardium. These discordant findings indicate that results in small animals cannot be extrapolated to larger animals with no reservations. The differences in mechanical forces may have influenced LV remodeling and underline the significance of using appropriate animal models before clinical application of new treatment modalities.

COX-2 inhibitors initially conquered the market because of a lower incidence of the gastrointestinal side effects associated with traditional nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and aspirin. In addition, COX-2 inhibitors are capable of reducing the incidence of colonic polyps. A number of large, randomized, clinical trials have been undertaken in the last several years for this reason, and these have revealed that the use of these COX-2 inhibitors increases the risk of serious adverse cardiovascular side effects, such as MI and stroke, probably by inducing a prothrombotic state.11–13,25 This has even led to the voluntary withdrawal of the most frequently prescribed COX-2i, rofecoxib, from the market. Although other studies failed to show this effect,26–28 this has evoked vigorous discussion as to whether COX-2 inhibitors should continue to be used in patients at risk for cardiovascular events. Therefore, it is of major importance to carefully weigh the beneficial and adverse effects of COX-2 inhibitors. As mentioned above, COX-2 inhibition abolishes the cytoprotective function of COX-2 in the acute phase after MI. On the other hand, advantageous effects of COX-2 inhibitors are described with respect to endothelial function and atherogenesis,29–32 which formed the rationale for a potential use of selective COX-2 inhibitors in patients with coronary heart disease.33 The present study for the first time describes harmful effects of selective COX-2 inhibition on mortality, LV remodeling, and systolic function after acute MI. We must keep in mind, however, that COX-2 inhibition in the present study was initiated shortly after MI. Whether COX-2 inhibitors have similar effects when administered in a chronic phase of MI or before MI remain a subject for further investigation. We are also aware that celecoxib was administered to the animals in a relatively high dose; however, lower doses did not sufficiently inhibit COX-2 activity in pigs (data not shown). Furthermore, the dose was identical to 1 of the doses studied in 2 of the large clinical trials that provided data on the prothrombotic effect of celecoxib.13,26 Nonetheless, the information provided in the present report should be taken into consideration when one weighs the advantageous and disadvantageous properties of COX-2 inhibitors, particularly for patients at risk for cardiovascular disease.

In conclusion, in contrast to murine models of MI, in the pig, selective COX-2 inhibition increased mortality, enhanced LV remodeling, and impaired systolic function after MI. These adverse effects are attributed to diminished collagen fiber deposition in the healing infarct zone. Therefore, the present study provides additional motivation to be cautious when prescribing COX-2 inhibitors to patients who have had an MI.


*    Acknowledgments
 
We gratefully acknowledge Merel Schurink and José van ’t Klooster for excellent technical assistance.

Sources of Funding

This work was supported by the Netherlands Heart Foundation, grants 2005T022 and 2001-162.

Disclosures

None.


*    References
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowMethods
up arrowResults
up arrowDiscussion
*References
 
1. Lewis EF, Moye LA, Rouleau JL, Sacks FM, Arnold JM, Warnica JW, Flaker GC, Braunwald E, Pfeffer MA. Predictors of late development of heart failure in stable survivors of myocardial infarction: the CARE study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2003; 42: 1446–1453.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

2. Abbate A, Santini D, Biondi-Zoccai GG, Scarpa S, Vasaturo F, Liuzzo G, Bussani R, Silvestri F, Baldi F, Crea F, Biasucci LM, Baldi A. Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression at the site of recent myocardial infarction: friend or foe? Heart. 2004; 90: 440–443.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

3. Bolli R, Shinmura K, Tang XL, Kodani E, Xuan YT, Guo Y, Dawn B. Discovery of a new function of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2: COX-2 is a cardioprotective protein that alleviates ischemia/reperfusion injury and mediates the late phase of preconditioning. Cardiovasc Res. 2002; 55: 506–519.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

4. Camitta MG, Gabel SA, Chulada P, Bradbury JA, Langenbach R, Zeldin DC, Murphy E. Cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 knockout mice demonstrate increased cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury but are protected by acute preconditioning. Circulation. 2001; 104: 2453–2458.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

5. Hammerman H, Kloner RA, Schoen FJ, Brown EJ Jr, Hale S, Braunwald E. Indomethacin-induced scar thinning after experimental myocardial infarction. Circulation. 1983; 67: 1290–1295.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

6. Hammerman H, Schoen FJ, Braunwald E, Kloner RA. Drug-induced expansion of infarct: morphologic and functional correlations. Circulation. 1984; 69: 611–617.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

7. Brown EJ Jr, Kloner RA, Schoen FJ, Hammerman H, Hale S, Braunwald E. Scar thinning due to ibuprofen administration after experimental myocardial infarction. Am J Cardiol. 1983; 51: 877–883.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

8. Kalkman EA, van Suylen RJ, van Dijk JP, Saxena PR, Schoemaker RG. Chronic aspirin treatment affects collagen deposition in non-infarcted myocardium during remodeling after coronary artery ligation in the rat. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 1995; 27: 2483–2494.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

9. Saito T, Rodger IW, Hu F, Shennib H, Giaid A. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 improves cardiac function in myocardial infarction. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2000; 273: 772–775.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

10. LaPointe MC, Mendez M, Leung A, Tao Z, Yang XP. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 improves cardiac function after myocardial infarction in the mouse. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2004; 286: H1416–H1424.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

11. Bombardier C, Laine L, Reicin A, Shapiro D, Burgos-Vargas R, Davis B, Day R, Ferraz MB, Hawkey CJ, Hochberg MC, Kvien TK, Schnitzer TJ; VIGOR Study Group. Comparison of upper gastrointestinal toxicity of rofecoxib and naproxen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. N Engl J Med. 2000; 343: 1520–1528.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

12. Nussmeier NA, Whelton AA, Brown MT, Langford RM, Hoeft A, Parlow JL, Boyce SW, Verburg KM. Complications of the COX-2 inhibitors parecoxib and valdecoxib after cardiac surgery. N Engl J Med. 2005; 352: 1081–1091.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

13. Solomon SD, McMurray JJ, Pfeffer MA, Wittes J, Fowler R, Finn P, Anderson WF, Zauber A, Hawk E, Bertagnolli M. Cardiovascular risk associated with celecoxib in a clinical trial for colorectal adenoma prevention. N Engl J Med. 2005; 352: 1071–1080.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

14. Baan J, van der Velde ET, de Bruin HG, Smeenk GJ, Koops J, van Dijk AD, Temmerman D, Senden J, Buis B. Continuous measurement of left ventricular volume in animals and humans by conductance catheter. Circulation. 1984; 70: 812–823.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

15. Steendijk P, Staal E, Jukema JW, Baan J. Hypertonic saline method accurately determines parallel conductance for dual-field conductance catheter. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2001; 281: H755–H763.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

16. Steendijk P, Baan J Jr, Van der Velde ET, Baan J. Effects of critical coronary stenosis on global systolic left ventricular function quantified by pressure-volume relations during dobutamine stress in the canine heart. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1998; 32: 816–826.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

17. Sagawa K. The end-systolic pressure-volume relation of the ventricle: definition, modifications and clinical use. Circulation. 1981; 63: 1223–1227.[Free Full Text]

18. Li YL, Gross ML. Ionic-liquid matrices for quantitative analysis by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. J Am Soc Mass Spectrom. 2004; 15: 1833–1837.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

19. Chareonthaitawee P, Christian TF, Hirose K, Gibbons RJ, Rumberger JA. Relation of initial infarct size to extent of left ventricular remodeling in the year after acute myocardial infarction. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1995; 25: 567–573.[Abstract]

20. Pfeffer MA, Braunwald E. Ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction: experimental observations and clinical implications. Circulation. 1990; 81: 1161–1172.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

21. Guo Y, Bao W, Wu WJ, Shinmura K, Tang XL, Bolli R. Evidence for an essential role of cyclooxygenase-2 as a mediator of the late phase of ischemic preconditioning in mice. Basic Res Cardiol. 2000; 95: 479–484.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

22. Li Q, Guo Y, Xuan YT, Lowenstein CJ, Stevenson SC, Prabhu SD, Wu WJ, Zhu Y, Bolli R. Gene therapy with inducible nitric oxide synthase protects against myocardial infarction via a cyclooxygenase-2-dependent mechanism. Circ Res. 2003; 92: 741–748.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

23. Shibata R, Sato K, Pimentel DR, Takemura Y, Kihara S, Ohashi K, Funahashi T, Ouchi N, Walsh K. Adiponectin protects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury through AMPK- and COX-2-dependent mechanisms. Nat Med. 2005; 11: 1096–1103.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

24. Delgado RM III, Nawar MA, Zewail AM, Kar B, Vaughn WK, Wu KK, Aleksic N, Sivasubramanian N, McKay K, Mann DL, Willerson JT. Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor treatment improves left ventricular function and mortality in a murine model of doxorubicin-induced heart failure. Circulation. 2004; 109: 1428–1433.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

25. Grosser T, Fries S, FitzGerald GA. Biological basis for the cardiovascular consequences of COX-2 inhibition: therapeutic challenges and opportunities. J Clin Invest. 2006; 116: 4–15.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

26. Silverstein FE, Faich G, Goldstein JL, Simon LS, Pincus T, Whelton A, Makuch R, Eisen G, Agrawal NM, Stenson WF, Burr AM, Zhao WW, Kent JD, Lefkowith JB, Verburg KM, Geis GS. Gastrointestinal toxicity with celecoxib vs nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: the CLASS study: a randomized controlled trial: Celecoxib Long-term Arthritis Safety Study. JAMA. 2000; 284: 1247–1255.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

27. White WB, Faich G, Whelton A, Maurath C, Ridge NJ, Verburg KM, Geis GS, Lefkowith JB. Comparison of thromboembolic events in patients treated with celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase-2 specific inhibitor, versus ibuprofen or diclofenac. Am J Cardiol. 2002; 89: 425–430.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

28. White WB, Faich G, Borer JS, Makuch RW. Cardiovascular thrombotic events in arthritis trials of the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor celecoxib. Am J Cardiol. 2003; 92: 411–418.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

29. Chenevard R, Hurlimann D, Bechir M, Enseleit F, Spieker L, Hermann M, Riesen W, Gay S, Gay RE, Neidhart M, Michel B, Luscher TF, Noll G, Ruschitzka F. Selective COX-2 inhibition improves endothelial function in coronary artery disease. Circulation. 2003; 107: 405–409.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

30. Burleigh ME, Babaev VR, Oates JA, Harris RC, Gautam S, Riendeau D, Marnett LJ, Morrow JD, Fazio S, Linton MF. Cyclooxygenase-2 promotes early atherosclerotic lesion formation in LDL receptor-deficient mice. Circulation. 2002; 105: 1816–1823.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

31. Bogaty P, Brophy JM, Noel M, Boyer L, Simard S, Bertrand F, Dagenais GR. Impact of prolonged cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition on inflammatory markers and endothelial function in patients with ischemic heart disease and raised C-reactive protein: a randomized placebo-controlled study. Circulation. 2004; 110: 934–939.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

32. Burleigh ME, Babaev VR, Yancey PG, Major AS, McCaleb JL, Oates JA, Morrow JD, Fazio S, Linton MF. Cyclooxygenase-2 promotes early atherosclerotic lesion formation in ApoE-deficient and C57BL/6 mice. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2005; 39: 443–452.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

33. Linton MF, Fazio S. Cyclooxygenase-2 and atherosclerosis. Curr Opin Lipidol. 2002; 13: 497–504.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
J. Musiolik, P. van Caster, A. Skyschally, K. Boengler, P. Gres, R. Schulz, and G. Heusch
Reduction of infarct size by gentle reperfusion without activation of reperfusion injury salvage kinases in pigs
Cardiovasc Res, August 25, 2009; (2009) cvp271v2.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Circ. Res.Home page
L. Timmers, J. K. van Keulen, I. E. Hoefer, M. F.L. Meijs, B. van Middelaar, K. den Ouden, C. J.A. van Echteld, G. Pasterkamp, and D. P.V. de Kleijn
Targeted Deletion of Nuclear Factor {kappa}B p50 Enhances Cardiac Remodeling and Dysfunction Following Myocardial Infarction
Circ. Res., March 13, 2009; 104(5): 699 - 706.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
U. Landmesser, K. C. Wollert, and H. Drexler
Potential novel pharmacological therapies for myocardial remodelling
Cardiovasc Res, February 15, 2009; 81(3): 519 - 527.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
L. Timmers, J. P.S. Henriques, D. P.V. de Kleijn, J. H. DeVries, H. Kemperman, P. Steendijk, C. W.J. Verlaan, M. Kerver, J. J. Piek, P. A. Doevendans, et al.
Exenatide reduces infarct size and improves cardiac function in a porcine model of ischemia and reperfusion injury.
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., February 10, 2009; 53(6): 501 - 510.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arch Intern MedHome page
G. H. Gislason, J. N. Rasmussen, S. Z. Abildstrom, T. K. Schramm, M. L. Hansen, E. L. Fosbol, R. Sorensen, F. Folke, P. Buch, N. Gadsboll, et al.
Increased Mortality and Cardiovascular Morbidity Associated With Use of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs in Chronic Heart Failure
Arch Intern Med, January 26, 2009; 169(2): 141 - 149.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
Authors/Task Force Members, F. Van de Werf, J. Bax, A. Betriu, C. Blomstrom-Lundqvist, F. Crea, V. Falk, G. Filippatos, K. Fox, K. Huber, et al.
Management of acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting with persistent ST-segment elevation: The Task Force on the management of ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction of the European Society of Cardiology:
Eur. Heart J., December 1, 2008; 29(23): 2909 - 2945.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
B. I. Jugdutt and A. Jelani
Aging and Defective Healing, Adverse Remodeling, and Blunted Post-Conditioning in the Reperfused Wounded Heart
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., April 8, 2008; 51(14): 1399 - 1403.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
J. Feng, E. Lucchinetti, G. Fischer, M. Zhu, K. Zaugg, M. C. Schaub, and M. Zaugg
Cardiac remodelling hinders activation of cyclooxygenase-2, diminishing protection by delayed pharmacological preconditioning: role of HIF1{alpha} and CREB
Cardiovasc Res, April 1, 2008; 78(1): 98 - 107.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
N. Degousee, S. Fazel, D. Angoulvant, E. Stefanski, S.-C. Pawelzik, M. Korotkova, S. Arab, P. Liu, T. F. Lindsay, S. Zhuo, et al.
Microsomal Prostaglandin E2 Synthase-1 Deletion Leads to Adverse Left Ventricular Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction
Circulation, April 1, 2008; 117(13): 1701 - 1710.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Circ. Res.Home page
L. Timmers, J. P.G. Sluijter, J. K. van Keulen, I. E. Hoefer, M. G.J. Nederhoff, M.-J. Goumans, P. A. Doevendans, C. J.A. van Echteld, J. A. Joles, P. H. Quax, et al.
Toll-Like Receptor 4 Mediates Maladaptive Left Ventricular Remodeling and Impairs Cardiac Function After Myocardial Infarction
Circ. Res., February 1, 2008; 102(2): 257 - 264.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
American College of Cardiology/American Heart Asso, Developed in Collaboration With the Canadian Cardi, Endorsed by the American Academy of Family Physici, 2007 Writing Group to Review New Evidence and Upda, E. M. Antman, M. Hand, P. W. Armstrong, E. R. Bates, L. A. Green, L. K. Halasyamani, et al.
2007 Focused Update of the ACC/AHA 2004 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., January 15, 2008; 51(2): 210 - 247.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
E. M. Antman, M. Hand, P. W. Armstrong, E. R. Bates, L. A. Green, L. K. Halasyamani, J. S. Hochman, H. M. Krumholz, G. A. Lamas, C. J. Mullany, et al.
2007 Focused Update of the ACC/AHA 2004 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines: Developed in Collaboration With the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Endorsed by the American Academy of Family Physicians: 2007 Writing Group to Review New Evidence and Update the ACC/AHA 2004 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, Writing on Behalf of the 2004 Writing Committee
Circulation, January 15, 2008; 117(2): 296 - 329.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Mol. Interv.Home page
L. Timmers, G. Pasterkamp, and D. P.V. de Kleijn
Microsomal Prostaglandin E2 Synthase: A Safer Target than Cyclooxygenases?
Mol. Interv., August 1, 2007; 7(4): 195 - 199.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
E. M. Antman, J. S. Bennett, A. Daugherty, C. Furberg, H. Roberts, and K. A. Taubert
Use of Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs: An Update for Clinicians: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Circulation, March 27, 2007; 115(12): 1634 - 1642.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
B. I. Jugdutt
Cyclooxygenase Inhibition and Adverse Remodeling During Healing After Myocardial Infarction
Circulation, January 23, 2007; 115(3): 288 - 291.
[Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
115/3/326    most recent
CIRCULATIONAHA.106.647230v1
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Timmers, L.
Right arrow Articles by de Kleijn, D. P.V.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Timmers, L.
Right arrow Articles by de Kleijn, D. P.V.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
*Compound via MeSH
*Substance via MeSH
Hazardous Substances DB
*CELECOXIB
Medline Plus Health Information
*Heart Attack
Related Collections
Right arrow Remodeling
Right arrow Acute myocardial infarction