The effect of meloxicam injection on the stomach of male rats

Abstract EN

Objective : Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including meloxicam are commonly prescribed by physicians, they are used as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents.

This study was performed to determine the histological effects of intramuscular injection of meloxicam at therapeutic and high doses for different periods on the stomach of male rats.

Methods : Forty male adult albino rats were used.

They were divided into 5 groups with 8 rats in each group.

Groups G1 and G2 served as control groups, they have received a daily intramuscular injection of normal saline for 50 and 100 days respectively.

Animals of group G3 were injected intramuscularly with therapeutic doses of meloxicam (0.22 mg / kg / day) for 50 days.

Rats of group G4 have received intramuscular injections of therapeutic doses of meloxicam for 100 days, whereas animals of group G5 was administered intramuscular injections of meloxicam in high doses (1.1 mg / kg / day) for 50 days.

At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed and the stomachs were obtained from all animals for histological examinations.

Results : No gastric damage was noticed in groups G1, G2 and G3.

There were only submucosal infiltration with mononuclear inflammatory cells in group G4.

Group G5 shows destruction of glandular architecture, necrosis of cells within the gastric glands, submucosal infiltration with mononuclear inflammatory cells and congestion of blood vessels.

Conclusions : Meloxicam is safe and produce no gastric injury when administered intramuscularly at therapeutic doses for long periods up to 100 days, but when the dose is increased it results in gastric damage, thus indicating a dose-dependent gastric toxicity.