Effect of acetaminophen (paracetamol) on human osteosarcoma cell line MG63

Aim:

To examine the effects of acetaminophen (paracetamol), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), on different cellular and functional parameters of the human osteosarcoma cell line MG63.

Methods:

Flow cytometry was used to study proliferation, antigenic profile, and phagocytic activity, and radioimmunoassay was used to determine osteocalcin synthesis as a cell differentiation marker.

Results:

Short-term treatment with therapeutic doses of paracetamol(5 or 25 μmol/L) reduced cell proliferation, osteocalcin synthesis, and phagocyte activity, and increased the expression of antigens involved in antigen presentation to T lymphocytes (CD80, CD86, HLA-DR).

Conclusion:

These findings suggest that paracetamol activates the osteoblast, inducing its immunogenic action to the detriment of its bone formation capacity.