Single-Dose Ibuprofen Does Not Increase Gastrointestinal Permeability or Symptoms

Many individuals use ibuprofen (IBU) to manage pain and inflammation. However, IBU can increase gastrointestinal (GI) permeability and symptoms. GI permeability is the abnormal passage of ordinarily restricted substances from the GI lumen to the internal environment. The purpose of this study was to determine whether acute single doses of IBU increase GI permeability and/or symptoms. Eight individuals (4 males, 4 females; mean age = 20 ± 0.5 years) participated in the study and randomly ingested IBU dosages of either 0 mg, 200 mg, 400 mg, or 600 mg on four separate occasions. IBU was ingested with a solution containing 5 g sucrose (S), 5 g lactulose (L), and 2 g mannitol (M). Following ingestion, all urine was collected for 5 hours and subjects completed a GI symptom questionnaire. The 5-hour urine volume was recorded, and samples were analyzed for S, L, and M. Gastroduodenal permeability (i.e., the S/M urinary excretion ratio; S/M) and small intestinal permeability (i.e., the L/M urinary excretion ratio; L/M) were determined. There were no significant differences in S/M, L/M, or GI symptoms among trials. The results indicate acute single doses of IBU up to 600 mg do not increase GI permeability or symptoms in young, healthy adults.