Indomethacin-induced morphologic changes in the rat urinary bladder epithelium.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate the morphologic changes in rat urothelium induced by indomethacin. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced cystitis is a poorly recognized and under-reported condition. In addition to tiaprofenic acid, indomethacin has been reported to be associated with this condition.

METHODS:

Three groups were established: a control group (n = 10), a high-dose group (n = 10), treated with one intraperitoneal injection of indomethacin 20 mg/kg, and a therapeutic dose group (n = 10) in which oral indomethacin was administered 3.25 mg/kg body weight daily for 3 weeks. The animals were then killed and the bladders removed for light and electron microscopic studies.

RESULTS:

The light microscopic findings showed some focal epithelial degeneration that was more prominent in the high-dose group. When compared with the control group, both indomethacin groups revealed statistically increased numbers of mast cells in the mucosa (P <0.0001) and penetration of lanthanum nitrate through intercellular areas of the epithelium. Furthermore, the difference in mast cell counts between the high and therapeutic dose groups was also statistically significant (P <0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Indomethacin resulted in histopathologic findings typical of interstitial cystitis, such as leaky bladder epithelium and mucosal mastocytosis. The true incidence of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced cystitis in humans must be clarified by prospective clinical trials.

• Authors: Sule Cetinel, B lent Cetinel, Feriha Ercan, Canan Hrda, Tangl San
• Journal: Urology (Urology) Vol. 61 Issue 1 Pg. 236-42 (Jan 2003) ISSN: 1527-9995 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 12559315 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Indomethacin

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Cell Count
• Cystitis, Interstitial (chemically induced, pathology)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Indomethacin (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Injections, Intraperitoneal
• Mast Cells (cytology)
• Mastocytosis (chemically induced, pathology)
• Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Urinary Bladder (drug effects, pathology)
• Urinary Bladder Neoplasms (chemically induced, pathology)
• Urothelium (drug effects, pathology)