Ibuprofen use during extreme exercise: Effects on oxidative stress and PGE₂

PURPOSE: Oxidative stress was examined with use (N = 29) or nonuse (N = 25) of ibuprofen in ultramarathoners after the Western States Endurance Run. METHODS: Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring plasma and urinary F2-isoprostanes, plasma nitrite, and plasma urate. A urinary prostaglandin E2 metabolite (PGE-M) was used as an end point to assess ibuprofen use. Ibuprofen users consumed 600 and 1200 mg of ibuprofen the day before and on race day, respectively, and nonusers avoided all antiinflammatory medications. Blood and urine were collected in the morning before the race and immediately after the race. RESULTS: Use compared with nonuse of ibuprofen significantly increased plasma (P ≤ 0.001) and urinary (P ≤ 0.01) F2-isoprostanes after the race. Ibuprofen use was associated with reduced PGE-M (P = 0.016). Ibuprofen was not associated with changes in any other variables. CONCLUSION: Ibuprofen use compared with nonuse by athletes competing in a 160-km race was associated with significantly increased oxidative stress.