Comparison of the effects of repeated dose treatments of lornoxicam and meloxicam on renal functions in rats

Aim: We aimed to investigate the renal effects of meloxicam, a preferential cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor nonsteroidal antiiflammatory drug, and lornoxicam, a nonspecific cyclooxygenase inhibitor, in rats. We wanted to test the hypothesis that preferential cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors have a higher renal safety profile when compared with the nonspecificcy clooxygenase inhibitors.Materials and methods: Thirty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were included in the study. During the study period, 0.9%NaCl, 5.8 mg kg-1 meloxicam, or 1.3 mg kg-1 lornoxicam were given in 1 mL volumes once daily by the peritoneal route.On day 14, rats were placed in metabolic cages and their urine was collected for 24 h. After anesthesia was administered,blood samples were taken, followed by nephrectomy. Results: Serum sodium, potassium, creatinine, BUN, urine NAG (N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase), protein, and density values increased, while urine volume, sodium, potassium, creatinine values, and creatinine clearance decreased significantly in both groups when compared with the control. In the meloxicam group, serum potassium, BUN, and urine density values were greater than those of the lornoxicam group. In the lornoxicam group, serum sodium and urine NAG values were greater than those of the meloxicam group. Conclusion: We want to emphasize that meloxicam must be used with caution, similarly to nonspecific cyclooxygenase inhibitors.