Nimesulide has been widely used in pediatry for treatment of inflammation associated to respiratory tract infections, fever, several chronic inflammatory conditions, and pain in many countries. However, very few but serious cases of adverse effects, particularly hepatic dysfunction and liver injury have been reported. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in nimesulide-induced adverse effects, including hepatotoxicity. However, several reports demonstrated the reducing effect of nimesulide on oxidative damage and its direct free radical scavenging activity. This study was performed to investigate the effects of nimesulide on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes in juvenile rats as well as its tissue damage potential. Four weeks-old Wistar albino, female rats were used. Nimesulide was given by gavage at two doses for 14 days. Blood and tissue samples were taken under pentobarbital anesthesia. Nimesulide treatment caused increase in plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decrease in catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities; superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6P-DH) activities were not changed. Tissue damage and changes in some serum parameters were also observed. Our results, indicating the possibility of tissue damage and alterations of oxidant/antioxidant status by nimesulide, might provide important contribution to the literature about the cautions for nimesulide use in juveniles.

Keywords: Nimesulide, Antioxidant enzymes, Oxidative stress, Juvenile