The Effect of Celecoxib on Memory Function and Expression of Caspase-3 Protein following Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats

Objective:To investigate the effect of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) inhibitor celecoxib on the memory func tion,the expression of COX-2 and caspase-3 following traumatic brain injury(TBI) in rats.Methods:Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into TBI group,celecoxib treatment group,sham operation group and normal control group(12 for each group).The rat model of severe closed TBI was established according to the method created by Marmarou.All rats were killed at different time points for detection of COX-2 and Caspase-3 protein expression by Western-blot and immunohistochemis try.Another 24 rats were randomly divided into TBI group,Celecoxib treatment group,sham operation group and normal con trol group for evaluation of cognitive dysfunction using the Morris water maze(MWM).Results:The protein levels of COX-2 and caspase-3 were significantly higher in TBI group than those of sham operation group and normal control group.The pro tein levels of COX-2 and caspase-3 were significantly lower in Celecoxib treatment group than those of TBI group(P 0.05).Results of MWM showed that the time to search the platform was significantly extended in TBI group than that of Celecoxib treatment group,sham operation group and normal control group(P 0.05),but the difference was no significance between the three groups(P 0.05).Conclusion:Celecoxib has protective effect on TBI in rats,which may apparently decrease the expression of COX-2 and Caspase-3,inhibit inflammatory reaction and apoptosis and improve the memory function after trau matic brain injury.