Effect of ibuprofen on the acute-phase response and protein metabolism in patients with cancer and weight loss

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine whether administration of the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory agent ibuprofen might attenuate the acute‐phase response in patients with colonic cancer. Cytokines and acute‐phase proteins were measured before administration of ibuprofen and again 3 days later, when protein synthesis was measured using 15N‐glycine. In patients with cancer, ibuprofen caused a significant reduction in the plasma concentration of all five acute‐phase proteins studied. Although interleukin 6 levels were raised, they did not change following administration of ibuprofen. Unlike the situation in patients with cancer who did not receive ibuprofen, whole‐body protein kinetics were similar to those of control subjects in patients with cancer who received ibuprofen. Whether or not ibuprofen had been administered, non‐export hepatic protein synthesis rates were significantly lower in patients with than in those without cancer. These results suggest that short‐term administration of ibuprofen can attenuate accelerated whole‐body protein kinetics and the acute‐phase response in patients with advanced cancer.
Funding Information
  • Scottish Hospital Endowments Research Trust