Effect of acetylsalicylic acid on liver plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase activity

In the present study, the effects of low- and non-toxic high doses of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on liver plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase activity and also on some membrane lipid components were investigated in rats. ASA was administered to rats by means of a gastric tube at doses of 50 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, daily, for 30 days. Chronic oral administration of high dose of ASA resulted in significant increases in liver plasma membrane cholesterol and phospholipid levels, whereas the membrane lipids appeared not to be affected by low dose of ASA. Liver plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase activity was found to be significantly inhibited following high dose of ASA treatment. Low dose of ASA administration caused a slight, but non-significant decrease in enzyme activity. It is concluded that the inhibition of Ca2+ ATPase activity produced by high dose of ASA treatment may be expected to cause Ca2+ accumulation in liver cells, thereby leading to the cell injury.