Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 or-2 on insulin sensitivity in healthy subjects

The aim of this study was to identify the effects of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 inhibition each on insulin sensitivity in healthy subjects. A rando mized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was carried out in 21 young, healthy, non-obese male volunteers. Pharmacological COX-1 inhibition was p erformed with the prescription of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) at a low dose, and COX-2 selective inhibition was performed with celecoxib. After randomi zation, all subjects received an oral morning dose of ASA 100 mg (n = 7), c elecoxib 200 mg (n = 7), or placebo for the control group (n = 7) during a period of 15 days. Before and after of the study period, a metabolic profil e was measured in all participants. An insulin tolerance test (ITT) was per formed to assess insulin sensitivity, and the constant for the serum glucos e disappearance rate (K ITT) was calculated. Clinical and metabolic charact eristics were similar between groups. The K ITT calculated with the ITT was higher after celecoxib than at baseline (4.8 +/- 0.9 vs. 4.3 +/- 0.6 %/min , p = 0.04), indicating improvement in insulin sensitivity. Neither ASA nor placebo administrations modified insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, COX-2 -selective inhibitor at a celecoxib dose of 200 mg daily increased insulin sensitivity in healthy subjects.