Evaluation of Chemoprevention Effect of Systemic Celecoxib on Induction of

Background: Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) specific inhibitors were examined for predication or treatment of different tumors and it is indicated that COX-2 specific inhibitors play an important regulatory role in apoptosis of tumoral tissues. Therefore, the present study was designed in order to examine the preventive effects of a COX-2 specific inhibitor called celecoxib on 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO)-induced squamous cell carcinoma on rat. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 30 Sprague Dawley rats (with the age of 3- 3.5 months) were selected and divided into three groups. In order to induce lingual carcinoma, 4NQO powder was prepared 3 times a week for each cage. In this study, celecoxib power was mixed with a basic food (basal diet) in order to examine the systematic effect. Tongue samples were sent to laboratory for immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and histological examination.Results: Based on morphological criteria and the ratio of apoptosis to cell proliferation, the prevalence of tongue precancerous lesions was reduced significantly by celecoxib.Conclusion: Celecoxib systematic has inhibitory effects on the 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO)-induced squamous cell carcinoma of tongue. The effect of celecoxib is probably via suppression of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis.