Comparison the Efficacy of Meloxicam and Ketoprofen in Alleviating Pain Following Ovariectomy in Rats

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of two NSAIDs, meloxicam and ketoprofen in controlling post-operative pain following ovariectomy in rats.Study design: Experimental studyAnimals: Twenty one healthy and adult female Sprague-Dawley rats weighting approximately 200 gr. Intramuscular injection of the combination of xylazine (10 mg/kg) and ketamine (75 mg/kg) was used to induce general anesthesia in all rats. Then the selected rat was assigned for a group prior to surgery in the following order: Group A, received no extra analgesic, group B, received subcutaneous injection of 5 mg/kg ketoprofen at the time of induction of anesthesia and group C received subcutaneous injection of 2 mg/kg meloxicam (7.5 mg/ml) at the time of induction of anesthesia. Then ovariectomy was performed through two dorso-lateral abdominal incisions. Score of pain at 2, 4 and 24 hours after the surgery using VAS, serum levels of cortisol and CPK at 2 hours after the surgery were evaluated in all rats. The score of pain was significantly different in group A, compared to group B and C (P=0). Also the concentration of cortisol was significantly increased in all groups following the surgery. This increase was significant in group A compared to group B and C (P<0.05). Although CPK concentration was increased significantly in all groups after the surgery, no significant correlation was found among groups. It is concluded that either meloxicam or ketoprofen have similar effects in controlling pain following ovariectomy in rats.