Release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and prostanoids in whole blood cultures after in vivo exposure to low-dose aspirin.
BACKGROUND
The preventive effect of low-dose aspirin in cardiovascular disease is generally attributed to its antiplatelet action caused by differential inhibition of platelet cyclooxygenase-1. However, there is evidence that aspirin also affects release of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). It is not known whether this is caused by direct action on the cytokine pathway or indirectly through cyclooxygenase inhibition and altered prostanoid synthesis, or both.


METHODS
We assessed the capacity of lipopolysaccharide-activated leukocytes in whole blood cultures of eight healthy subjects following a single oral dose of 80 mg aspirin to release TNF-alpha, prostanoid E2 (PGE2) and prostanoid I2 (PGI2), and thromboxane A2 (TXA2). TNF-alpha and prostanoids were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassays.


RESULTS
In seven subjects, TNF-alpha release in blood cultures decreased 24h after intake of aspirin. The effect of aspirin on prostanoid release was assessed in three individuals: PGE2 increased in all subjects, PGI2 increased in two and remained unchanged in one, and TXA2 was reduced in two and unchanged in one individual The presence of DFU, a specific inhibitor of cyclooxygenase 2, did not affect the reduction of TNF-alpha release by aspirin, but abolished prostanoid production in all three individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
The capacity of activated leukocytes to release TNF-alpha is reduced by ingestion of low-dose aspirin, independent of changes in prostanoid biosynthesis.
Beckmann
I
I
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. beckmann@gyno.fgg.eur.nl
Ben-Efraim
S
S
Vervoort
M
M
Wallenburg
H C
HC
D000328:Adult; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015232:Dinoprostone; D011464:Epoprostenol; D005260:Female; D005663:Furans / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013928:Thromboxane A2; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
C106876:5,5-dimethyl-3-(3-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl-2(5H)-furanone; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D005663:Furans; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011453:Prostaglandins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D013928:Thromboxane A2; D011464:Epoprostenol; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D015232:Dinoprostone; D001241:Aspirin