PILOT TRIAL OF THE EFFECTS OF LOW-DOSE ACETYLSALICYLIC-ACID ON PLATELET THROMBOXANE B-2 PRODUCTION

Objective: It has been suggested that certain foods of plant origin co ntain milligram-quantities of acetylsalicylate which could exert an an ti-thrombotic effect. Acetylsalicylic acid prevents cardiovascular dis eases through inhibition of platelet endoperoxide thromboxane producti on and platelet aggregation. We investigated whether a daily intake of 3 mg acetylsalicylic acid causes a measurable decrease of platelet cy clo-oxygenase activity assessed by in vitro thromboxane B-2 production . Design: We carried out a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlle d cross-over study. Subjects: Ten healthy volunteers (5 men, 5 women) aged 22 +/- 3 years (mean +/-: s.d.) participated in the study; there were no drop-outs. Interventions: Participants took 3 mg/d of acetylsa licylic acid or a placebo for 2 weeks each. At the end of each treatme nt period venous blood was drawn, and platelet-rich plasma was stimula ted with arachidonic acid. Results: Treatment with acetylsalicylic aci d caused a 39 +/- 8% decrease in maximal thromboxane B-2 production (P = 0.000), which was independent of treatment order. Conclusions: Quan titative data on acetylsalicylate in foods and the possible antithromb otic action of a diet rich in acetylsalicylate deserve closer investig ation.