Meloxicam induces cell apoptosis via COX-2-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

Abstract

<p>(A, B) HepG2 cells were incubated for 72 h with meloxicam (80 μM) in the presence or absence of PGE2 (3 μM) or rh-MMP-2 (25 ng/mL). Untreated cells served as controls. (A) Representative dot plots were taken from cytometrically analyzed cells. (B) The apoptosis rate was calculated. (C) HepG2 cells were incubated with meloxicam (80 μM), and harvested at the indicated time points. (D) HepG2 cells were incubated for 72 h with meloxicam (80 μM) in the presence or absence of PGE2 (3 μM) or MK-2206 (5 μM). (E) HepG2 cells were incubated with meloxicam (80 μM), and harvested at the indicated time points. (F) HepG2 cells were incubated with meloxicam (80 μM) in the presence or absence of PGE2 (3 μM) for 72 h, and harvested. The above harvested cells were subjected to Western blot analysis. The band density in each assay was measured and normalized to that of GAPDH, respectively. Data represent three independent experiments. “*” indicates a significant (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05) difference, and “**”, a highly significant (<i>P</i>&lt;0.001) difference.</p