A COX-2 inhibitor reduces muscle soreness, but does not influence recovery and adaptation after eccentric exercise.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor on the recovery of muscle function, inflammation, regeneration after, and adaptation to, unaccustomed eccentric exercise. Thirty-three young males and females participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment. Seventy unilateral, voluntary, maximal eccentric actions with the elbow flexors were performed twice (bouts 1 and 2) with the same arm, separated by 3 weeks. The test group participants were administered 400 mg/day of celecoxib for 9 days after bout 1. After both bouts 1 and 2, concentric and isometric force-generating capacity was immediately reduced (approximately 40-50%), followed by the later appearance of muscle soreness and increased serum creatine kinase levels. Radiolabelled autologous leukocytes (detected by scintigraphy) and monocytes/macrophages (histology) accumulated in the exercised muscles, simultaneously with increased satellite cell activity. These responses were reduced and recovery was faster after bout 2 than 1, demonstrating a repeated-bout effect. No differences between the celecoxib and placebo groups were detected, except for muscle soreness, which was attenuated by celecoxib. In summary, celecoxib, a COX-2 inhibitor, did not detectably affect recovery of muscle function or markers of inflammation and regeneration after unaccustomed eccentric exercise, nor did the drug influence the repeated-bout effect. However, it alleviated muscle soreness.
Paulsen
G
G
Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway. goran.paulsen@nih.no
Egner
I M
IM
Drange
M
M
Langberg
H
H
Benestad
H B
HB
Fjeld
J G
JG
Hallén
J
J
Raastad
T
T
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects; D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology; D000068579:Celecoxib; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D017551:Microdialysis; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D032496:Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle / Q000378:metabolism; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055815:Young Adult
D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D011720:Pyrazoles; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000068579:Celecoxib; D015232:Dinoprostone