[Aspirin, pain and inflammation].
METHODS
Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is among the most commonly analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory used drugs. The anti-inflammatory effects of ASA are mediated by the inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzymes with the subsequent decrease of prostaglandin synthesis.


METHODS
However, since this discovery of Vane in 1971, much of other mechanisms of anti-inflammatory action, without relation with cyclooxygenases, have been proposed. ASA has peripheric analgesic properties by reducing prostaglandin biosynthesis. But there is evidence that the analgesic effects could be mediated by central mechanisms with changes in the monoaminergic and opioid systems. ASA is essentially used in moderate pains with an inflammatory component (rheumatological disorders, headaches, dental and postoperative pains).


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical use of ASA at anti-inflammatory dose is less frequent because the other non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are as effective as ASA, but they are associated with less side effects. Nevertheless, the synergism of ASA and morphine association and the possible involvement of the central serotonergic and opiatergic systems in the antinociceptive activity of ASA could confer a greater role of ASA in pain management.
Vergne
P
P
Service de rhumatologie et de thérapeutiques, centre hospitalier universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France.
Bertin
P
P
Trèves
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003085:Colic / Q000188:drug therapy; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006261:Headache / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051379:Mice; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D014098:Toothache / Q000188:drug therapy
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D001241:Aspirin