Anti-inflammatory and Regenerative Effects of the COX 2 Inhibitor Celecoxib on Articular Cartilage Explants

Among degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system is osteoarthritis (OA)
a well know problem, with 20% of the dogs over one year of age being affected(1).
OA is characterized by an overall breakdown of extracellular matrix, altered matrix synthesis, cell number and phenotype, all mediated by inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins(1-3). Unfortunately, current therapies i.e. NSAID’s administrated orally, do not offer a causal regenerative treatment but are mostly based on minimizing symptoms on short terms and are accompanied by several drawbacks(4). A solution to this problem is provided by local application of biomaterial-based controlled release systems for the continuous local delivery of anti-inflammatory therapeutics over prolonged periods of time. […]