Summary: | Introduction: Chronic inflammation with aging is associated with sarcopenia and osteoporosis. Bovine colostrum is the first milk secreted by cows following parturition and contains bioactive substances, while ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Both target the inflammatory pathway regulated by cyclooxygenase and have potential to increase muscle and bone mass when combined with resistance training. Objectives: To determine efficacy of novel anti-inflammatory nutritional (bovine colostrum) and pharmaceutical (ibuprofen) supplementation during resistance training on muscle and bone properties and strength in older adults. Methods: Older adults (≥50y) were randomly assigned to receive 38g/d of colostrum or whey protein during a resistance training program for 8 weeks; postmenopausal women (≥60y) were randomly assigned to receive ibuprofen (400 mg) or placebo post-exercise while performing a resistance training program or stretching program (3d/wk) for 9 months. Both studies utilized dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for body composition and predicted 1-repetition maximum for strength. The bovine colostrum study further assessed muscle thickness of the biceps and quadriceps, plasma insulin-like growth factor-1, and inflammation and bone resorption markers; the ibuprofen study further assessed bone and muscle properties and estimates of bone strength (peripheral quantitative computed tomography), and dynamic balance. Results: Bovine colostrum supplementation during resistance training increased leg press strength (21%) and reduced bone resorption (-29%) versus whey protein. Both colostrum and whey protein groups improved chest press strength, muscle thickness, and lean tissue mass. Ibuprofen alone appeared beneficial for preventing loss of areal bone density at Ward’s region (3%) and bone properties at the distal radius (0.5%) and radial shaft (1.1%), while exercise alone appeared beneficial for bone properties at the distal radius (0.6%). However, the interaction of resistance training and ibuprofen negated the benefits at the distal radius (-1.5%). Neither ibuprofen nor resistance training was effective for increasing lean tissue mass, although resistance training improved body fat percentage (-2.0%), increased upper and lower body strength (23%, 110%), and preserved muscle density of the calf (-3.1%). Conclusion: While bovine colostrum could be taken within close proximity to exercise, ibuprofen should not be as it may interfere with the effects of exercise when the two interventions are combined.
|