Randomized, double-blind, pilot study of geranylgeranylacetone versus placebo in patients taking low-dose enteric-coated aspirin. Low-dose aspirin-induced small bowel damage.
OBJECTIVE
Low-dose enteric-coated aspirin is increasingly being used for prevention of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether geranylgeranylacetone (GGA) could prevent aspirin-induced small bowel injury.


METHODS
This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, pilot study of GGA versus placebo in subjects taking low-dose enteric-coated aspirin. Young healthy volunteers were enrolled and each received 100 mg of enteric-coated aspirin per day plus either GGA (150 mg/day) or matching placebo for 7 days. Video capsule endoscopy of the small bowel and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) questionnaire were performed before and after the administration of aspirin.


RESULTS
Twenty volunteers were evaluated. There was no significant difference in the number of lesions in any category between those receiving or not receiving GGA. Large erosions or ulcers were observed in 12 (60%; 95% confidence interval 36%- 80%) aspirin users. Mucosal breaks were most frequently found in the latter half of the proximal small bowel.


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term administration of low-dose enteric-coated aspirin was associated with visible small bowel damage in the majority of users. We could not prove that aspirin-induced small bowel mucosal injury was prevented by GGA.
Shiotani
Akiko
A
Department of Internal Medicine, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, Japan. shiotani@med.kawasaki-m.ac.jp
Haruma
Ken
K
Nishi
Ryuji
R
Fujita
Minoru
M
Kamada
Tomoari
T
Honda
Keisuke
K
Kusunoki
Hiroaki
H
Hata
Jiro
J
Graham
David Y
DY
D000328:Adult; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014456:Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D004224:Diterpenes; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated; D001241:Aspirin; C031049:geranylgeranylacetone