Abstract
Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) inhibits prostanoid synthesis by irreversible acetylation of fatty acid cyclooxygenase (EC 1.14.99.1). It thereby inhibits synthesis of pro-aggregatory thromboxane A2 (TXA2) by platelets and is widely used in the treatment and prophylaxis of vascular disease. Its efficacy, however, may be reduced since it also inhibits formation of prostacyclin (PGI2) which is a vasodilator and anti-aggregatory agent. There is uncertainty over the optimum dose regimen for aspirin since although it inhibits platelet thromboxane production for many days, the magnitude and duration of its effect on PGI2 production by vascular endothelium in vivo is unknown. Resting plasma concentrations of PGI2 (measured as the stable hydrolysis product 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha) are at or below the limit of sensitivity of the most sensitive assays and cannot therefore be used to demonstrate a reduction in production. Bradykinin stimulates PGI2 synthesis by cultured human vascular endothelial cells and we have shown that it stimulates PGI2 production by man in vivo. We report here that an oral dose of aspirin (600 mg) causes rapid and substantial inhibition of bradykinin-stimulated PGI2 production, but recovery occurs within 6 hours; this implies that endothelial PGI2 synthesis would be spared most of the time during dosing once daily with even this relatively large dose of aspirin.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.