In the last few years, NSAIDS and acetaminophen have received a black eye for their detrimental effects on muscle hypertrophy. Many studies have reported that the maximum dosage of NSAIDS can inhibit muscle hypertrophy, while a minimum dose may not have the same detrimental effect. A recent poll of the most commonly abused over the counter drugs was NSAIDS for pain among athletes. Whether or not NSAIDS will inhibit muscle hypertrophy remains to be determined as more research needs to be conducted but also one must take into consideration the long term effects that NSAIDS have on kidney health.
Recently, a new study appeared that may give weightlifters an alternative to using NSAIDS. In this month’s Journal of Medicine in Sports and Science in Exercise, a new protease supplement was found to enhance muscle recover after strenuous weightlifting. Proteases are by definition, enzymes’ that break down proteins. Proteases are involved in numerous physiological processes such as digestion of food to highly regulated systems such as blood clotting and immune function. Two previous studies have found that the use of a protease supplement was able to reduce muscle soreness and enhance muscle recovery after a damaging bout of eccentric exercise. However, there exact role in reducing muscle soreness remains largely a mystery. NSAIDS work by reducing muscle inflammation. Generally, after intense exercise, damage occurs to muscle tissue and there is a increase in inflammatory mediators such as leukocytes, macrophages, ect. The inflammatory response seems to be a necessary component of the muscle hypertrophy response.
Researchers from the University of Waco in the Exercise and Biochemistry Laboratory decided to revisit this concept and study the role of protease supplementation and muscle recovery more closely. They had young men consume a protease supplement ( 44.7 ,g of papain, 99.9 mg of bromelain, 5.593 g of fungal enzymes with endopeptidase/ exopeptidase activity, and 86.4 mg of calcium citrate) for 21 days. After that, they performed a grueling exercise bout of downhill running for 45 minutes, which is know n to be one of the most damaging forms of exercise to perform. Subjects received either a protease supplement or a placebo during this time period.
At the end of the study, the results for quite impressive for protease supplementation. The protease supplement was able to improve muscle function in the days following after a damaging bout of exercise. It has been suggested that protease supplementation can enhance muscle recovery by via interaction of the immune system. In the placebo group, significantly higher levels of interleukin-6 and Interleukin-12 were observed, however in the protease group, the protease group had blunted levels of the pro-inflammatory mediators IL-6 and IL-12. Another interesting finding was the protease group had blunted levels of COX-2 enzyme expression, as you may recall Celebrex was a commonly used COX-2 inhibitor for the relief of arthritis. The researchers speculated that the protease supplement thru inhibition of the inflammatory response may enhance muscle recovery. it seems that the alteration in circulating inflammatory response as noted by the reduced macrophage response to the damaged muscle. In addition, blunted IL-6 and COX-2 expression were also observed after the use of protease supplementation. Regarding inflammation and muscle hypertrophy, remember this is a intricate process. Too much inflammation can inhibit muscle growth just as too little can be just as detrimental, so don’t be overly concerned about the reductions in COX-2 and Interleukin 6 production. Thus protease supplementation may be a new way to enhance muscle recovery without the damaging effects that NSAIDS produce.
source:musculardevelopment.com
