Influence of anti-inflammatory drugs on aging skeletal muscle size in the health ABC cohort

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Authors
Fountain, William A.
Advisor
Trappe, Todd A.
Issue Date
2022-07
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Thesis (Ph. D.)
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Abstract

Aging is associated with an elevated basal pro-inflammatory status and a concomitant reduction in skeletal muscle mass. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-inhibitors are the most prevalent anti-inflammatory drugs and may provide insight into the control of agerelated skeletal muscle atrophy. This investigation compared skeletal muscle size (via computed tomography) of individuals from the Health ABC study that did not consume any COX-inhibiting drugs and served as control (1,155, 74±3y, 48% women, 45% black) to those that consumed COX-inhibiting drugs daily and for at least one year (n=1,138, 74±3y, 50% women, 37% black, average COX-inhibitor consumption: 7y) and to those that only consumed aspirin daily and for at least one year (n=515, 74±3y, 39% women, 30% black, average aspirin consumption: 6y). In white men, the long-term COX-inhibitor consuming group had significantly larger quadriceps muscle size compared to control (p<0.05). In white and black men, the long-term aspirin consuming groups had significantly larger quadriceps muscle size compared to control (p<0.05). Quadriceps muscle size was not influenced by COX-inhibitor or aspirin consumption in women of either race (p>0.05). There was no effect of COX-inhibitor or aspirin consumption on hamstrings muscle size in men or women of either race (p>0.05). Collectively, these findings indicate that long-term COX-inhibitor use, particularly aspirin, may have a protective influence on quadriceps muscle mass of aging men. Additional studies are required to better understand the regulatory role of age-associated inflammation on skeletal muscle mass of women and less commonly investigated muscle groups such as the hamstrings.