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

Objective: 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 study animals: twenty one healthy and adult female sprague-dawley rats weighting approximately 200 gr. methods: 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. results: 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. conclusion: it is concluded that either meloxicam or ketoprofen have similar effects in controlling pain following ovariectomy in rats.