Inhibitory Effect Of Acetylsalicylic Acid Research Articles

Dual effects of acetylsalicylic acid on ERK signaling and Mitf transcription lead to inhibition of melanogenesis.

Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is widely used as an analgesic/antipyretic drug. It exhibits a wide range of biological effects, including preventative effects against heart attack and stroke, and the induction of apoptosis in various cancer cells. We previously found that ASA inhibits melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells. However, the mechanisms of how ASA down-regulates melanin synthesis remain unclear. Here, we investigated the effect of ASA on melanogenic pathways, such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (Mitf) transcription. ASA significantly inhibited melanin synthesis in a dose-dependent manner without oxidative stress and cell death. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that the inhibitory effect of ASA might be due to the inhibition of Mitf gene transcription. Interestingly, ASA also induced ERK phosphorylation. Additionally, treatment with PD98059, a specific ERK phosphorylation inhibitor, abolished the anti-melanogenic effect of ASA. These results suggest that the depigmenting effect of ASA results from down-regulation of Mitf, which is induced by both the induction of ERK phosphorylation and the inhibition of Mitf transcription.

Orally given gastroprotective capsaicin does not modify aspirin-induced platelet aggregation in healthy male volunteers (human phase I examination)

Capsaicin is a well-known component of red pepper. Recent studies have shown that capsaicin could prevent gastric ulcer provoked by various NSAID-s like acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Primary objective of this human clinical phase I trial was to investigate whether two different doses of capsaicin co-administered with ASA could alter the inhibitory effect of ASA on platelet aggregation. 15 healthy male subjects were involved in the study and treated orally with 400 μg capsaicin, 800 μg capsaicin, 500 mg ASA, 400 μg capsaicin+500 mg ASA and 800 μg capsaicin+500 mg ASA. Blood was drawn before and 1, 2, 6 and 24 hours after the drug administration. After that epinephrine induced platelet aggregation was measured by optical aggregometry. Between treatments, volunteers had a 6-day wash-out period. Our results showed that capsaicin had no effect on platelet aggregation, while as expected, ASA monotherapy resulted in a significant and clinically effective platelet aggregation inhibition (p ≤ 0.001). The combined ASA-capsaicin therapies reached equivalent effectiveness in platelet aggregation inhibition as ASA monotherapy. Our investigation proved that capsaicin did not influence the inhibitory effect of ASA on platelet aggregation, thus the capsaicin-ASA treatment would combine the antiplatelet effect of ASA with the possible gastroprotection of capsaicin.

Inhibitory effects of acetylsalicylic acid on exocrine pancreatic carcinogenesis

We investigated short (6 months) and long (12 months) term inhibitory effects of low (200 ppm) and high (400 ppm) dosages of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) on exocrine pancreatic carcinogenesis. It is known that exocrine pancreatic carcinogenesis can be detected by the presence of atypical acinar cell foci (AACF) in pancreas. We investigated possible inhibitory effects of acetylsalicylic acid in an azaserine-treated rat model. AACF were produced in rats by injection with azaserine according to previous studies. Our findings showed that the number, volume and diameter of pancreatic AACF were reduced after acetylsalicylic acid application. These observations suggest that acetylsalicylic acid may exert a protective effect against neoplastic development of pancreatic acinar cells in azaserine injected rats. Our findings corroborate reports in the literature concerning the effects of aspirin in reducing neoplastic development.

Toward the inhibitory effect of acetylsalicylic acid on tyrosinase: Integrating kinetics studies and computational simulations

Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), generally well known as aspirin, has various biomedical functions. In this study, we revealed that ASA reversibly inhibits tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) in a mixed-type manner with a Ki=11.778±2.01mM. Time-interval kinetics showed that the inhibition followed first-order reaction kinetics. Measurements of ANS-binding fluorescence showed that ASA did not induce significant detectable changes in the hydrophobic surface of tyrosinase. For further insight, we performed molecular dynamics simulations to predict the key interactions between tyrosinase and ASA and found that the acetate and carboxylic acid groups of ASA play a critical role in binding to several residues (HIS61, HIS85, HIS94, HIS259, HIS263, and ALA286) on tyrosinase that are thought to be pivotal for docking. Our study suggested that ASA could be a useful depigmentation agent due to the structural functions of the acetic and carboxyl groups on tyrosinase.

Laropiprant attenuates EP3and TP prostanoid receptor-mediated thrombus formation

The use of the lipid lowering agent niacin is hampered by a frequent flush response which is largely mediated by prostaglandin (PG) D2. Therefore, concomitant administration of the D-type prostanoid (DP) receptor antagonist laropiprant has been proposed to be a useful approach in preventing niacin-induced flush. However, antagonizing PGD2, which is a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation, might pose the risk of atherothrombotic events in cardiovascular disease. In fact, we found that in vitro treatment of platelets with laropiprant prevented the inhibitory effects of PGD2 on platelet function, i.e. platelet aggregation, Ca flux, P-selectin expression, activation of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and thrombus formation. In contrast, laropiprant did not prevent the inhibitory effects of acetylsalicylic acid or niacin on thrombus formation. At higher concentrations, laropiprant by itself attenuated platelet activation induced by thromboxane (TP) and E-type prostanoid (EP)3 receptor stimulation, as demonstrated in assays of platelet aggregation, Ca flux, P-selectin expression, and activation of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa. Inhibition of platelet function exerted by EP4 or I-type prostanoid (IP) receptors was not affected by laropiprant. These in vitro data suggest that niacin/laropiprant for the treatment of dyslipidemias might have a beneficial profile with respect to platelet function and thrombotic events in vascular disease. Citation: Philipose S, Konya V, Lazarevic M, Pasterk LM, Marsche G, et al. (2012) Laropiprant Attenuates EP3 and TP Prostanoid Receptor-Mediated Thrombus Formation. PLoS ONE 7(8): e40222. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0040222 Editor: Christian Schulz, Heart Center Munich, Germany Received April 17, 2012; Accepted June 2, 2012; Published August 1, 2012 Copyright: 2012 Philipose et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Funding: Dr. Philipose was funded by the PhD Program in Molecular Medicine of the Medical University of Graz. This study was supported by the Jubilaumsfonds of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB, grants 13487 and 14263) and the Austrian Science Fund (FWF; grants P22521-B18, P19473-B05, P21004-B02 and P22976-B18. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. * E-mail: akos.heinemann@medunigraz.at

Laropiprant Attenuates EP3 and TP Prostanoid Receptor-Mediated Thrombus Formation

The use of the lipid lowering agent niacin is hampered by a frequent flush response which is largely mediated by prostaglandin (PG) D2. Therefore, concomitant administration of the D-type prostanoid (DP) receptor antagonist laropiprant has been proposed to be a useful approach in preventing niacin-induced flush. However, antagonizing PGD2, which is a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation, might pose the risk of atherothrombotic events in cardiovascular disease. In fact, we found that in vitro treatment of platelets with laropiprant prevented the inhibitory effects of PGD2 on platelet function, i.e. platelet aggregation, Ca2+ flux, P-selectin expression, activation of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and thrombus formation. In contrast, laropiprant did not prevent the inhibitory effects of acetylsalicylic acid or niacin on thrombus formation. At higher concentrations, laropiprant by itself attenuated platelet activation induced by thromboxane (TP) and E-type prostanoid (EP)-3 receptor stimulation, as demonstrated in assays of platelet aggregation, Ca2+ flux, P-selectin expression, and activation of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa. Inhibition of platelet function exerted by EP4 or I-type prostanoid (IP) receptors was not affected by laropiprant. These in vitro data suggest that niacin/laropiprant for the treatment of dyslipidemias might have a beneficial profile with respect to platelet function and thrombotic events in vascular disease.

Lack of inhibitory effect of acetylsalicylic acid and meloxicam on whole blood platelet aggregation in cats

To determine the effects of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and meloxicam on feline platelet aggregation and associated platelet thromboxane production and serotonin release. Prospective interventional study. University research facility. Eight healthy male castrated domestic short hair cats from a research colony. Oral medications were administered to 8 cats for 14 days in a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover design. Treatment groups included: aspirin (ASA) (5 mg/kg q 48 h), meloxicam (0.05 mg/kg q 24 h), and placebo (0.5 mL of water q 24 h). Thromboxane assays (TXB(2) ) and whole blood (impedance) aggregometry (WBA) were performed on samples collected before drug administration, and on days 7, 15, and 17, using adenosine diphosphate (ADP; 10 μM) and collagen (5 μg/mL) as agonists for WBA. Serotonin release was assayed on postaggregation plasma. Oral mucosal bleeding time (OMBT) and complete blood cell counts were measured on days 0 and 15. Neither medication affected WBA at any time point. OMBT decreased in the ASA group relative to baseline. No differences were detected in WBA and OMBT baseline between any groups. No difference was detected in serotonin secretion at any time point. TXB(2) was significantly decreased in the ASA group at all times after initiation of treatment but no change was noted in the meloxicam or placebo groups. At the doses studied, neither meloxicam nor ASA had an inhibitory effect on WBA or OMBT in cats. Thromboxane concentrations were significantly decreased with ASA treatment.

Increased Excretion of C4-Carnitine Species after a Therapeutic Acetylsalicylic Acid Dose: Evidence for an Inhibitory Effect on Short-Chain Fatty Acid Metabolism

Acetylsalicylic acid and/or its metabolites are implicated to have various effects on metabolism and, especially, on mitochondrial function. These effects include both inhibitory and stimulatory effects. We investigated the effect of both combined and separate oral acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen administration at therapeutic doses on the urinary metabolite profile of human subjects. In this paper, we provided in vivo evidence, in human subjects, of a statistically significant increase in isobutyrylcarnitine after the administration of a therapeutic dose of acetylsalicylic acid. We, therefore, propose an inhibitory effect of acetylsalicylic acid on the short-chain fatty acid metabolism, possibly at the level of isobutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase.

Acetylsalicylic acid and salicylic acid decrease tumor cell viability and glucose metabolism modulating 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase structure and activity

The common observation that cancer cells present higher glycolytic rates when compared to control cells leads to the proposal of glycolysis as a potential target for the development of anti-tumoral agents. Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and salicylic acid (SA), present anti-tumoral properties, inducing apoptosis and altering tumor glucose utilization. The present work aims at evaluating whether ASA could directly decrease cell glycolysis through inhibition of the major regulatory enzyme within this pathway, 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase (PFK). We show that ASA and SA inhibit purified PFK in a dose-dependent manner, and that this inhibition occurs due to the modulation of the enzyme quaternary structure. ASA and SA promote the dissociation of the enzyme active tetramers into quite inactive dimers, a common regulatory mechanism of this enzyme. The inhibitory effects of ASA and SA on PFK are fully reversible and can be prevented or reverted by the binding of the enzyme to the actin filaments. Both drugs are also able to decrease glucose consumption by human breast cancer cell line MCF-7, as well as its viability, which decrease parallelly to the inhibition of PFK on these cells. In the end, we demonstrate the ability of ASA and SA to directly modulate an important regulatory intracellular enzyme, and propose that this is one of their mechanisms promoting anti-tumoral effects.

The coxibs and traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: A current perspective on cardiovascular risks

There is strong evidence from randomized clinical trials that the highly selective cox-2 inhibitors (coxibs), compared with placebo, cause an excess of serious cardiovascular events that are not mitigated by low-dose acetylsalicylic acid. Both Health Canada and the Food and Drug Administration have concluded that the excess cardiovascular events may be a 'class effect' of all the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including traditional NSAIDs (tNSAIDs) and coxibs, and now require appropriate black box labelling of all these agents. Celecoxib and lumiracoxib are the only coxibs remaining on the market in Canada. The prostanoid pathways, the roles of cox-1 and cox-2, as well as the inhibitory effects of acetylsalicylic acid, traditional tNSAIDs and the coxibs, are briefly reviewed. Current recommendations for the ongoing use of coxibs and the tNSAIDs are summarized.

In vitro screening of the action of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on hypochlorous acid-induced hyaluronan degradation

The antioxidative effect of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was studied in vitro by measuring the kinetics of degradation of high-molecular weight hyaluronan (HA) in a system comprising hypochlorous acid + CuCl 2 + ascorbic acid using a Brookfield rotational viscometer equipped with a Teflon cup and spindle of coaxial cylindrical geometry. The changes in HA chemical structure were investigated by chemiluminometry. When sodium naproxen was added to the system during a running degradative process its inhibitory effect was clearly shown. The inhibition was dependent on the drug concentration. However, when this drug was added to the system before the initiation of HA degradation, no inhibition was seen even at the highest drug concentration tested. The inhibitory effect of acetylsalicylic acid was achieved with a relatively low concentration of the drug and was independent of the experimental model used.

Inhibitory effect of acetylsalicylic acid on matrix metalloproteinase - 2 activity in human endothelial cells exposed to high glucose

Matrix metalloproteinases play a major role in the process of angiogenesis, an important feature of diabetes complications, cancer or rheumatoid arthritis. High glucose concentrations were reported to augment metalloproteinase-2 secretion in some cell types. In the present study we investigated the influence of acetylsalicylic acid on metalloproteinase- 2 secretion and expression in endothelial cells cultured for one week in high glucose conditions (25 mM and 33 mM). Metalloproteinase-2 activity was evidenced by gel zymography, the protein was identified by Western blotting, and the gene expression was quantitated by RT-PCR. The results indicated a marked inhibitory effect of acetylsalicylic acid at gene expression level (approximately 43%) and also at secretion level in samples of conditioned media (approximately 30%) and cellular homogenates (approximately 70%). This may suggest that acetylsalicylic acid could have a beneficial effect in preventing the angiogenic process that appears in diabetes complications.

Influence of Systemic Inflammation on the Interpretation of Response to Antiplatelet Therapy, Monitored by PFA-100

Recently it was shown that inflammation adversely influences results obtained with the Platelet Function Analyzer System PFA-100, hypothesizing that inflammation could confound interpretation of platelet function results. We investigated the clinical relevance of these results in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), with and without signs of systemic inflammation. In 98 PAOD patients, all treated with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), we measured PFA-100 closure times with the collagen-epinephrine test cartridges. C-reactive protein (CRP) values were measured as an indicator for systemic inflammation. Mean CRP levels were elevated in 23 patients (23%). There was no difference in mean PFA-100 results between patients with elevated CRP-levels and those without. During clinical use of the PFA system, systemic inflammation had no major influence on the performance of the collagen-epinephrine cartridge. With respect to the response to antiplatelet therapy with ASA, the results suggest that the platelet inhibitory effect of ASA is not reduced under inflammatory conditions.

Synergistic inhibitory effect of ascorbic acid and acetylsalicylic acid on prostaglandin E2 release in primary rat microglia.

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) has been suggested to protect cerebral tissue in a variety of pathophysiological situations such as head trauma, ischemia or Alzheimer's disease. Most of these protective actions have been attributed to the antioxidative capacity of ascorbic acid. Besides the presence of elevated levels of oxygen radicals, prostaglandins produced by neurones and microglial cells seem to play an important role in prolonged tissue damage. We investigated whether ascorbic acid alone inhibits prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis and may augment the inhibitory effect of acetylsalicylic acid on prostaglandin synthesis. Ascorbic acid dose-dependently inhibited PGE2 synthesis in lipopolysaccharide-treated primary rat microglial cells (IC50 = 3.70 micro m). In combination with acetylsalicylic acid (IC50 = 1.85 micro m), ascorbic acid augmented the inhibitory effect of acetylsalicylic acid on PGE2 synthesis (IC50 = 0.25 micro m in combination with 100 micro m ascorbic acid). Ascorbic acid alone or in combination with acetylsalicylic acid did not inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein synthesis but inhibited COX-2 enzyme activity. Our results show that ascorbic acid and acetylsalicylic acid act synergistically in inhibiting PGE2 synthesis, which may help to explain a possible protective effect of ascorbic acid in various brain diseases.

Inhibitory effect of acetylsalicylic acid on metalloproteinase activity in human lung adenocarcinoma at different stages of differentiation

The mechanism underlying the anticancer effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is not clear. We addressed the question whether the alterations in collagen content in lung adenocarcinomas reported in previous studies result from dysregulation of gelatinolytic activity and whether the activity is altered by acetylsalicylic acid in vitro. Human lung adenocarcinomas were divided into three groups: well-differentiated (G1), moderately differentiated (G2) and poorly differentiated (G3) tumors. Each group was compared with normal lung tissue with respect to tissue collagen and collagen degradation product content (hydroxyproline assay), gelatinolytic activity (zymography) and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases, MMP-2 and MMP-9 (Western immunoblot). Moreover, in the studied tissues, the effect of acetylsalicylic acid on gelatinolytic activity was measured. The lung adenocarcinoma G1 had a similar collagen content as normal lung tissue but increased amounts of collagen degradation products and free hydroxyproline. These phenomena were accompanied by a marked increase in gelatinolytic activity (MMP-2 and MMP-9) in the G1 tumor. In adenocarcinoma G2, the free hydroxyproline content and gelatinolytic activity were increased, while the collagen and collagen degradation product contents were not markedly altered, compared to control. In contrast, adenocarcinoma G3 had an increased tissue collagen content (by about 60%), decreased percentage of collagen degradation products and similar gelatinolytic activity, compared to normal lung. Acetylsalicylic acid was found to inhibit gelatinolytic activity both in control and adenocarcinoma tissues, preferentially the active forms of gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9. The results suggest that human lung adenocarcinoma G1, through an elevated expression of the activated forms of both MMP-2 and MMP-9, may represent a more invasive phenotype than less differentiated tumors G2 or G3. It indicates that lung adenocarcinoma G1 should be considered as a possible target for metalloproteinase inhibitory therapy. Acetylsalicylic acid may be such a therapeutical agent in cancer prevention or early stages of tumor growth.

Effects of caffeine and paracetamol alone or in combination with acetylsalicylic acid on prostaglandin E 2 synthesis in rat microglial cells

Paracetamol has mild analgesic and antipyretic properties and is, along with acetylsalicylic acid, one of the most popular “over the counter” analgesic agents. However, the mechanism underlying its clinical effects is unknown. Another drug whose mechanism of action is unknown is caffeine, which is often used in combination with other analgesics, augmenting their effect. We investigated the inhibitory effect of paracetamol and caffeine on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cyclooxygenase (COX)- and prostaglandin (PG)E 2-synthesis in primary rat microglial cells and compared it with the effect of acetylsalicylic acid, salicylic acid, and dipyrone. Furthermore, combinations of these drugs were used to investigate a possible synergistic inhibitory effect on PGE 2-synthesis. Both paracetamol (IC 50=7.45 μM) and caffeine (IC 50=42.5 μM) dose-dependently inhibited microglial PGE 2 synthesis. In combination with acetylsalicylic acid (IC 50=3.12 μM), both substances augmented the inhibitory effect of acetylsalicylic acid on LPS-induced PGE 2-synthesis. Whereas paracetamol inhibited only COX enzyme activity, caffeine also inhibited COX-2 protein synthesis. These results are compatible with the view that the clinical activity of paracetamol and caffeine is due to inhibition of COX. Furthermore, these results may help explain the clinical experience of an adjuvant analgesic effect of caffeine and paracetamol when combined with acetylsalicylic acid.

Human platelet activation by thrombolytic agents: Effects of tissue-type plasminogen activator and urokinase on platelet surface P-selectin expression

The mechanisms that underlie reocclusion during thrombolytic therapy have not yet been clarified. The purpose of this study was to investigate the activating effects of tissue-type plasminogen activator and urokinase and the inhibitory effects of acetylsalicylic acid by measuring platelet surface P-selectin as a marker of platelet activation. After addition of urokinase (final concentration 192 U/ml, 1920 U/ml, or 19,200 U/ml) or tissue-type plasminogen activator (final concentration 120 U/ml, 1200 U/ml, or 12,000 U/ml) to platelet-rich plasma from 12 healthy persons, platelet surface P-selectin expression was measured by means of flow cytometry with an anti-CD62 monoclonal antibody. The presence of urokinase and tissue-type plasminogen activator increased platelet surface P-selectin expression in a concentration-dependent manner. In the next step, either 160 mg/day ( n = 6) or 660 mg/day ( n = 6) acetylsalicylic acid was administered to the 12 healthy persons, and venous blood samples were collected after 7 days of treatment. Platelet surface P-selectin expression was measured with the method used earlier and after addition of tissue-type plasminogen activator or urokinase. Although the effect of acetylsalicylic acid at 160 mg/day on P-selectin expression was minimal, a dose of 660 mg/day suppressed platelet P-selectin expression and inhibited the platelet activating effects of tissue-type plasminogen activator and urokinase in a statistically significant way. Platelets were activated by tissue-type plasminogen activator or urokinase, and this platelet activation was suppressed with administration of acetylsalicylic acid at 660 mg/day. (Am Heart J 1998;135:268-71.)

Selective Solid-Phase Extraction of Urinary 2,3-Dinor-6-ketoprostaglandin F1α for Determination with Radioimmunoassay

This paper describes a method for selective two-step solid-phase extraction of urinary 2,3-dinor-6-ketoprostaglandin F1α for reliable determination with radioimmunoassay. In the immunoreactivity profile of nonselectively extracted urine after HPLC separation, over 90% of the total 2,3-dinor-6-ketoprostaglandin F1α immunoreactivity consisted of interfering material coeluting with 6-ketoprostaglandin F1α and 2,3-dinor-6-ketoprostaglandin F1α. Among the alkyl silica sorbents studied (methyl, butyl, octyl, and octadecyl), an efficient separation of 2,3-dinor-6-ketoprostaglandin F1α from 6-ketoprostaglandin F1α and the lowest immunoreactive concentration of analyte were achieved in extraction on the methyl silica sorbent by elution of 2,3-dinor-6-ketoprostaglandin F1α with chloroform:hexane (85:15, v/v) from the cartridge. The proportion of specific immunoreactivity could be further increased by two-step extraction of sample on methyl silica cartridges, first at pH 3 and then at pH 10 using diethyl ether:hexane (85:15, v/v) and chloroform as eluent, respectively. After this, a high correlation was found with concentrations of samples determined by radioimmunoassay using three different antisera. A significant correlation of values was also observed between samples measured by radioimmunoassay and those measured by GC-MS. The values of 12-h excretion of 2,3-dinor-6-ketoprostaglandin F1α in eight volunteers (268 ± 204 ng/g creatinine, mean ± SD) as well as the inhibitory effect of acetylsalicylic acid (74 ± 12%) are in accordance with those reported in the literature. This selective extraction procedure provides a high validity in radioimmunoassay without requiring subsequent TLC or HPLC purification.

Solid-phase extraction of urinary 11-dehydrothromboxane B 2 for reliable determination with radioimmunoassay

In this paper we elaborate a one-step procedure for the selective extraction of urinary 11-dehydrothromboxane B 2 on octylsilyl silica cartridges for reliable determination with radioimmunoassay. The immunoreactivity profile of nonselectively extracted urine after HPLC separation showed that as much as 70% of the total 11-dehydrothromboxane B 2 immunoreactivity comigrates with polar interfering material. Its amount could be considerably decreased using acetonitrile:water (18:82, v/v) as wash solvent before elution of 11-dehydrothromboxane B 2 from the cartridge. Alternatively, very high immunoreactive purity was achieved without the preceding wash step by selective elution of the analyte with dichloromethane:hexane (70:30). After both optimized steps in the extraction procedure were combined, immunoreactivity was found only in HPLC fractions corresponding to the retention volume of authentic 11-dehydrothromboxane B 2. The homogeneity of this immunoreactivity was confirmed by two-step HPLC separation. A significant correlation of values was observed between samples measured after extraction and those measured after subsequent HPLC purification. A high correlation was also found with concentrations determined by radioimmunoassay using four different antisera. The values of 24 h excretion of 11-dehydrothromboxane B 2 in 10 male volunteers (595 ± 114 ng/g creatinine, mean ± SD) as well as the inhibitory effect of acetylsalicylic acid (80 ± 13%) closely correspond with those reported in the literature. This selective extraction procedure provides a high validity in radioimmunoassay without requiring any further purification step.

Variable Response to Aspirin Measured by Platelet Aggregation and Bleeding Time

Aspirin has been employed at several dosage levels for vascular diseases such as angina, myocardial infarction, and hypertension in pregnancy. The beneficial effect of aspirin in these diseases is believed to be from the inhibitory effect of acetylsalicylic acid on platelets. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of the dosage level on platelet aggregation in whole blood and bleeding time. Platelet aggregation and bleeding time were compared after the ingestion of one 81-, 165-, 325-, and 650-mg dose of acetylsalicylic acid. An inhibition of aggregation and an increase in bleeding time occurred at all levels except 81 mg. Some of the subjects showed slight or no change in aggregation or bleeding time after ingesting acetylsalicylic acid for 11 days. Others showed large increases in bleeding time and marked inhibition of aggregation. A comparison of the differences in response indicates that a single dose of acetylsalicylic acid is unlikely to be appropriate for all subjects.