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The effects of colchicine and hydroxychloroquine on the cyclo-oxygenases COX-1 and COX-2

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Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to test whether colchicine and hydroxychloroquine have an inhibitory effect on cyclo-oxygenases (COX).

Methods

Measurement of COX-1 and COX-2 activity was performed by using whole blood assay. Serum thromboxane (TXA) and plasma prostaglandin 2 (PGE2) levels were determined using a commercially available enzyme immunoassay kit. Celecoxib, etodolac, and nimesulide were also tested as controls. Since the study was intended to find a qualitative effect rather than a quantitative relationship between the drugs and the enzymes, we used higher concentrations than the therapeutic range.

Results

Colchicine did not have an inhibitory effect on cyclo-oxygenases. Hydroxychloroquine had a mild inhibitory effect in a relatively high concentration. As expected, celecoxib, etodolac, and nimesulide did have an inhibitory effect on the cyclo-oxygenases.

Conclusions

Neither colchicine nor hydroxychloroquine exert their anti-inhibitory effect through inhibition of cyclo-oxygenases.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. FMF Clinic, Department of Medicine, Hadassah University Hospital, POB 12000, Jerusalem, Israel

    Eldad Ben-Chetrit

  2. Department of Medicine, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel

    Ruth Fischel

  3. Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany

    Burkhard Hinz

  4. Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Department of Medicine, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel

    Micha Levy

Authors
  1. Eldad Ben-Chetrit
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  2. Ruth Fischel
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  3. Burkhard Hinz
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  4. Micha Levy
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eldad Ben-Chetrit.

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Ben-Chetrit, E., Fischel, R., Hinz, B. et al. The effects of colchicine and hydroxychloroquine on the cyclo-oxygenases COX-1 and COX-2. Rheumatol Int 25, 332–335 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-004-0442-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-004-0442-4

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