LOVASTATIN INCREASES EXERCISE-INDUCED SKELETAL-MUSCLE INJURY

This study tested the hypothesis that exercise in combination with a 3 -hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor pro duces greater creatine kinase (CK) elevations, an index of skeletal mu scle injury, than exercise alone, using a double-blind, placebo-contro lled design. Fifty-nine healthy men aged 18 to 65 years with low-densi ty lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels greater than 3.36 mmol/L (13 0 mg/dL) despite diet therapy were studied. Subjects were randomly ass igned to receive lovastatin (40 mg/d) or placebo for 5 weeks. Subjects completed 45 minutes of downhill treadmill walking (-15% grade) at 65 % of their predetermined maximum heart rate after 4 weeks of treatment . During the subsequent week, they completed four 10-repetition sets o f one-arm biceps curl exercise using 50% of their maximum capacity, CK levels were measured before exercise and daily for 4 and 5 days after the treadmill and biceps exercises, respectively. Age, body weight, a nd blood lipid and lipoprotein levels were similar in lovastatin and p lacebo groups. Resting CK levels were 33% higher in the lovastatin gro up before treatment (P <.05), but were not significantly altered by lo vastatin, CK levels were 62% and 77% higher (P <.05) in the lovastatin group 24 and 48 hours after treadmill exercise after adjusting for in itial CK differences. There were no significant CK differences between lovastatin and placebo groups after biceps curl exercise, We conclude that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors exacerbate exercise-induced skeleta l muscle injury. Copyright (C) 1997 by W.B. Saunders Company.