The effects of aspirin, flurbiprofen, and NO-donating acetylsalicylic acid (NCX 4016) on mice models of endotoxic and septic shock.

Background/aim: Nitric oxide-donating nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NO-NSAIDs) are a promising new class of antiinflammatory agents, which are obtained by adding NO-donating moieties to the existing conventional NSAID molecules. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aspirin, flurbiprofen, and NO-donating acetylsalicylic acid (NCX 4016) on cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and endotoxin-induced septic shock (LPS) models in mice.
Materials and Methods: Overall survival and spleen and liver weights were monitored in LPS and CLP models. Histopathological examinations of liver and spleen were performed at the end of the experimental protocols.
Results: NCX 4016 was able to reverse the increased spleen weight in CLP-operated animals, whereas aspirin or flurbiprofen did not. Similar to the results of the CLP model, none of the drugs modified the survival rates in the LPS model. Flurbiprofen in particular produced significant histopathological damage in spleens and livers, which was less significant with aspirin. NCX 4016 did not cause any liver damage.
Conclusion: NCX 4016 has the potential to be used in septic states, while special attention has to be paid to the effects of aspirin and flurbiprofen on the liver and spleen.