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

Purpose: Oxidative stress was examined with use (N = 29) or normse (N = 25) of ibuprofen in ultramarathoners after the Western States Endurance Run. Methods: Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring plasma and urinary F-2-isoprostanes, plasma nitrite, and plasma urate. A urinary prostaglandin E-2 metabolite (PGE-M) was used as an end point to assess ibuprofen use. lbuprofen 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 normse of ibuprofen significantly increased plasma (P <= 0.001) and urinary (P <= 0.01) F-2-isoprostanes after the race. lbuprofen use was associated with reduced PGE-M (P = 0.016). lbuprofen was not associated with changes in any other variables. Conclusion: lbuprofen use compared with nonuse by athletes competing in a 160-km race was associated with significantly increased oxidative stress.