Inhibition of COX-2 by celecoxib enhances glucocorticoid receptor function

Celecoxib is a widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent that acts through selective inhibition of COX-2. Data presented in this paper demonstrated that celecoxib also significantly increased the functional activity of the glucocorticoid receptor, while inhibiting p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. These results expand the intracellular targets of COX-2 inhibitors and widen their potential clinical application to disorders associated with impaired glucocorticoid function, including neuropsychiatric disorders such as major depression.