Etodolac Attenuates Hippocampal Blood Flow Responses Induced by Tooth Pulp Stimulation in Rats

In this study, we investigated whether increases in hippocampal blood flow (HBF) by tooth pulp stimulation (TPS) are mediated via the activation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). We measured mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and HBF in urethane-anesthetized rats using laser Doppler flowmetry and examined the effects of etodolac, a specific COX-2 inhibitor, on TPS-induced MABP and HBF responses. The MABP response was not attenuated by the intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of etodolac (10 mg/kg); however, the HBF response was significantly attenuated by etodolac administration. These results suggest that COX-2 may be involved in the mechanisms regulating TPS-induced HBF responses.