Comparative Study Of Two Non-Selective Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors Paracetamol And Ibuprofen On Maternal And Neonatal Growth

Abstract

The comparative study of the effects of two non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitors ibuprofen and paracetamol on maternal and neonatal growth was conducted using 15 Sprague dawley rats, with mean body weight ranging between 165 and 179g. The rats were separated at random into three groups (A, B and C). Identification of each animal was done by the number of of strokes marked on their tail. The first test group (A) was given 7.3mg/kg/day of paracetamol, while the second test group (B) was given 3.5mg/kg day of ibuprofen. The third group (C) was used as the primary control group and as such was given normal saline. Each rat was weighed at an interval of three days before and after pregnancy. Drug administration was done by gavage and commenced from the 10th day of gestation till the 13th day after parturition. On the 13th day after parturition the maternal weight, neonatal weights, tail lengths, crown rump lengths and the kidney weight was measured, in other to determine their effects on growth. The ibuprofen treated animals with a percentage weight loss (16.10%) and a mean weight difference (26.64g) were significantly affected (P < 000.1) when compared to the control animals with a mean weight difference (26.64g) were significantly affected (P < 0.001) when compared to the control animals with a mean weight difference (3.66g) and a percentage weight loss (2.19%) while paracetamol with a maternal percentage weight loss (9.6%) and maternal mean weight difference (17.24g) were significantly affected (P < 0.05) when compared to control animals. On the other hand only ibuprofen fed animals showed effects on the neonatal growth; with a mean neonatal weight (12.18g), mean tail length (mean crown rump length (5.8cm), and mean weight of neonatal kidney (0.17g). The paracetamol fed animals showed approximately the same values as stated above for the control animals. Our result shows that ibuprofen convey a greater effect than paracetamol on maternal and neonatal growth when used in pregnancy. This could be due to a compromised nutritional status of the maternal rat consequent on gastrointestinal, liver and kidney derangement by these drugs. Hence the abuse of these drugs in pregnancy should be avoided.

Key words: Comparism, cyclooxygenase inhibitors, gestation, growth


Journal of Experimental and Clinical Anatomy Vol. 4 (1) 2005:17-20