The effect of diclofenac on proliferation and production of growth factors by endothelial cells (HMEC-1) under hypoxia and inflammatory conditions

Diclofenac belongs to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and non-selective COX inhibitors. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of diclofenac on endothelial cell proliferation under the influence of hypoxia or inflammatory conditions. Another goal was to check whether diclofenac modulates the secretion of angiogenic factors such as VEGF and bFGF in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) in the presence of CoCl₂ or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which could influence the endothelial cells in an autocrine manner or other cells in a paracrine manner. HMEC-1 cells were treated with 0.1 and 0.3 mmol L^-1 diclofenac in the presence of 100 μg mL^-1 LPS or 200 μmol L^-1 CoCl₂. Diclofenac decreased cell viability under hypoxia and inflammatory conditions. The stimulation of bFGF secretion by LPS in microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1 cell) was attenuated by diclofenac. Diclofenac increased the secretion of VEGF induced by LPS and hypoxia.