Preventive effects of COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib on renal tubular injury induced by shock wave lithotriptor

Our study was designed to investigate the protective effect of the COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, on renal tubules against shock wave lithotripsy (SWL). Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham, control, and COX-2 groups. The control group was administrated normal saline. The COX-2 group was administered celecoxib (10 mg/kg). After administration for 1 week, the control and COX-2 groups received 1,000 shock waves. Before and after SWL, 24-h urine was collected. CCr was measured to assess renal function. To determine the renal tubular injury, N-acetyl glucosaminidase (NAG) and β-2 microglobulin levels in urine were quantified. The COX-2 gene expression was compared between the three groups. Prior to SWL, all groups had similar levels of NAG and β-2 microglobulin. After SWL, all groups showed similar CCr. Compared with the sham group, control and COX-2 groups produced increase of NAG and β-2 microglobulin excretion. However, NAG and β-2 microglobulin excretions were significantly lower in the COX-2 group than control group. The COX-2 gene expression did not increase in the sham group. However, the COX-2 gene expression was significantly increased in the control group, which was prevented by celecoxib in COX-2 group. Biochemical findings supported a renal protective effect of celecoxib on SWL. This study suggests that celecoxib would be useful prior and after SWL because of renal protective effects.