The IMAGE group’s newest study, Mr. ACET, will examine how the use of acetaminophen and ibuprofen in older, exercising men, affects muscle and bone health. Weight-bearing physical activity is widely recommended for older adults to counteract age-related loss of muscle and bone. However, previous research in animals and younger men has suggested that taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen, before or during weight lifting, reduces the beneficial effects of that exercise session. The Mr. ACET study is designed to examine whether this also occurs in older men.

There are two interventions in the Mr. ACET study: medication and exercise training. Eligible men will be randomly assigned to take 1000 mg of acetaminophen, 400 mg of ibuprofen, or placebo pills (no active drug) two hours before exercise. Everyone will take part in exercise training up to 6 days per week for 4 months. The exercise will include weight lifting and weight-bearing exercises like walking/jogging on a treadmill. The program will be tailored for each participant and will progress in difficulty as strength and endurance develop. Individual instruction and the use of the IMAGE Exercise Research Lab will be provided.

The main inclusion criteria are:

• Men, aged 60 or older
• Typical use of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or similar drugs less than 3 days per month
• Weight lifting exercise less than 1 day per week
• No history of peptic ulcer or stomach bleeding

The Mr. ACET study tests include a biopsy of the thigh muscle before beginning the exercise program and after 2 weeks and 4 months of training; thigh muscle size by CT scan; total body fat, muscle mass, and bone density by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA); and blood tests.

Kathy Jankowski, PhD is the Principal Investigator of the Mr. ACET study. For more information please contact . This study is funded by the National Institute on Aging and has been approved by the Colorado Multiple Institution Review Board (protocol # 06-0343).

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• The TEAM study is examining the effects of testosterone supplementation and exercise in men who have low-normal testosterone levels. Eligible participants are men, 60 years and older, non-smokers, in good general health, and not currently doing high-intensity weight lifting exercise. (COMIRB # 02-1056)
• The PROXI study is determining if weight lifting helps to prevent the loss of muscle and bone mass that occurs in men with prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Eligible participants are men, 45-85 years, with prostate cancer, who are taking ADT or plan to start ADT. (COMIRB #02-0958)
• The Mr. ACET study is examining how the use of acetaminophen and ibuprofen in older, exercising men, affects muscle and bone health. Eligible participants are men, 60 years and older, who are not currently in a weight lifting program, have no history of peptic ulcers or stomach bleeding, and do not typically use acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or similar drugs more than 3 days per month. (COMIRB # 06-0343)
• The New-to-ADT study is examining changes in muscle that occur in men on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Eligible participants are men, 45-85 years who have prostate cancer that has not spread to other organs, who plan to begin ADT. (COMIRB #05-0196)
• The TANDEM study is investigating how the reproductive hormones, testosterone and estrogen, relate to the health and function of the cardiovascular system. Eligible participants are healthy men, non-smokers, 21-35 years. (COMIRB # 05-0183)

• The START study is determining how short-term exercise and diet affects stress hormones. Eligible participants are postmenopausal women, 45-70 years, who are currently on hormone therapy. (COMIRB # 01-0634)
• The GnRH study is investigating the effects of reproductive hormones (estrogen and progesterone) on metabolism and blood vessel function. Eligible participants are healthy women , 21-40 years, who have regular menstrual cycles and do not use oral contraceptives. (COMIRB #02-0110)

• The Parkinson’s Disease study is examining how different forms of exercise help improve daily function and the ability to “stay active” in people with Parkinson’s disease. Eligible participants are people with Parkinson's who are able to function independently. (COMIRB #02-0750)
• The CAFFEE study is investigating whether weight lifting can reduce fatigue and preserve physical function in older persons who have a history of cancer. Eligible participants are 65 years or older and have a history of prostate, breast, colorectal, or ovarian cancer. (COMIRB #03-0914)