Work

Repurposing celecoxib ameliorates olfactory dysfunction following rhinosinusitis by attenuating neuroinflammation

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives.: Rhinosinusitis disrupts the neuroepithelium, promotes inflammatory cell infiltration, and ultimately leads to olfactory dysfunction. Celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitor, reduces neuroinflammation through its antiinflammatory effects. We hypothesize that celecoxib can mitigate sensorineural olfactory impairment by reducing inflammation, preserving neuroepithelial structure, and exerting neuroprotective effects. Methods.: Male C57BL/6 mice were intranasally administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for three weeks to induce rhinosinusitis. Celecoxib treatment was also administered via subcutaneous injection. The mice then underwent histological staining in sinonasal tissue, olfactory function test, and quantitative genomic expression patterns in the olfactory bulb. Results.: Following intranasal administration of LPS, mice exhibited impaired olfactory function, increased neutrophil infiltration, an elevated number of goblet cells in the sinonasal mucosa, and upregulated mRNA expression of inflammatory markers indicative of neuroinflammation in the olfactory bulb. Celecoxib treatment resulted in improved olfactory function, reduced neutrophil infiltration, decreased goblet cells number, and attenuated neuroinflammation in the olfactory bulb. Conclusion.: These findings suggest that celecoxib alleviates sensorineural olfactory dysfunction by reducing sinonasal neuroinflammation, highlighting its therapeutic potential in rhinosinusitis-associated olfactory loss.

Source: Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology

DOI: 10.21053/ceo.2025-00332

Authors: Yi-Ling Lai, Ming-Ying Lan, Wei-Hao Huang, Chien-Fu Yeh

Institutions: National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei Veterans General Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies

Subfield: Sensory Systems

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $300