Ascorbic Acid may Exacerbate Aspirin-Induced Increase in Intestinal Permeability.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Pharmacology
• Human Physiology

Background:

• Aspirin can cause gastrointestinal (GI) damage.
• Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is often combined with aspirin to mitigate this damage.
• The impact of ascorbic acid on aspirin-induced changes in intestinal permeability requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether ascorbic acid prevents or reduces aspirin-induced changes in intestinal permeability.
• To compare the effects of aspirin, ascorbic acid, and their combination on gut permeability.
• To assess the influence of the timing of ascorbic acid administration relative to aspirin.

Main Methods:

• A cross-over study involving 28 healthy female volunteers.
• Administration of aspirin (600 mg), ascorbic acid (500 mg), or both, compared to placebo.
• Measurement of intestinal permeability using saccharidic probes (mannitol and lactulose) over 6 hours.
• Assessment of ascorbic acid's effect when given before or after aspirin in a subset of 19 volunteers.

Main Results:

• Both aspirin and ascorbic acid augmented lactulose excretion compared to placebo, indicating increased intestinal permeability.
• Ascorbic acid alone increased lactulose excretion more than aspirin alone.
• Simultaneous administration of both agents resulted in an additive increase in lactulose excretion.
• The timing of ascorbic acid administration relative to aspirin did not significantly alter sugar excretion.

Conclusions:

• Ascorbic acid does not prevent aspirin-induced increases in gut permeability.
• Both aspirin and ascorbic acid augment intestinal permeability to a similar extent.
• The additive effect suggests that ascorbic acid and aspirin influence paracellular permeability through distinct pathways.