Pilot trial of the effects of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid on platelet thromboxane B2 production.
OBJECTIVE
It has been suggested that certain foods of plant origin contain milligram-quantities of acetylsalicylate which could exert an anti-thrombotic effect. Acetylsalicylic acid prevents cardiovascular diseases through inhibition of platelet endoperoxide thromboxane production and platelet aggregation. We investigated whether a daily intake of 3 mg acetylsalicylic acid causes a measurable decrease of platelet cyclo-oxygenase activity assessed by in vitro thromboxane B2 production.


METHODS
We carried out a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study.


METHODS
Ten healthy volunteers (5 men, 5 women) aged 22 +/- 3 years (mean +/- s.d) participated in the study; there were no drop-outs.


METHODS
Participants took 3 mg/d of acetylsalicylic acid or a placebo for 2 weeks each. At the end of each treatment period venous blood was drawn, and platelet-rich plasma was stimulated with arachidonic acid.


RESULTS
Treatment with acetylsalicylic acid caused a 39 +/- 8% decrease in maximal thromboxane B2 production (P = 0.000), which was independent of treatment order.


CONCLUSIONS
Quantitative data on acetylsalicylate in foods and the possible antithrombotic action of a diet rich in acetylsalicylate deserve closer investigation.
Janssen
P L
PL
Department of Human Nutrition, Agricultural University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Akkerman
J W
JW
Hollman
P C
PC
van Staveren
W A
WA
Zwaginga
J J
JJ
Katan
M B
MB
D000328:Adult; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D013929:Thromboxane B2 / Q000378:metabolism*
D013929:Thromboxane B2; D001241:Aspirin