Summary
Aspirin is widely used, but dosages in different clinical situations and the possible
importance of “aspirin resistance” are debated. We performed an open cross-over study
comparing no treatment (baseline) with three aspirin dosage regimens – 37.5 mg/ day
for 10 days, 320 mg/day for 7 days, and, finally, a single 640 mg dose (cumulative
dose 960 mg) – in 15 healthy male volunteers. Platelet aggregability was assessed
in whole blood (WB) and platelet rich plasma (PRP).The urinary excretions of stable
thromboxane (TxM) and prostacyclin (PGI-M) metabolites, and bleeding time were also
measured. Platelet COX inhibition was nearly complete already at 37.5 mg aspirin daily,
as evidenced by >98 % suppression of serum thromboxane B2 and almost abolished arachidonic
acid (AA) induced aggregation in PRP 2–6 h after dosing. Bleeding time was similarly
prolonged by all dosages of as- pirin. Once daily dosing was associated with considerable
recovery of AA induced platelet aggregation inWB after 24 hours, even after 960 mg
aspirin. Collagen induced aggregation in WB with normal extracellular calcium levels
(hirudin anticoagulated) was inhibited <40% at all dosages. TxM excretion was incompletely
suppressed, and increased <24 hours after the cumulative 960 mg dose. Aspirin treatment
reduced PGI-M already at the lowest dosage (by ≈25%), but PGI-M excretion and platelet
aggregability were not correlated. Antiplatelet effects of aspirin are limited in
WB with normal calcium levels. Since recovery of COX-dependent platelet aggregation
occurred within 24 hours, once daily dosing of aspirin might be insufficient in patients
with increased platelet turnover.
Keywords
Platelet function - thromboxane - prostacyclin - acetylsalicylic acid - dosage