Human platelet response to three salicylate dosage forms

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Platelet aggregation is crucial in thrombosis.
• Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is a widely used antiplatelet agent.
• Understanding the efficacy of different ASA formulations is important for clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the antiplatelet effects of enteric-coated aspirin (ecASA) and compressed aspirin tablets (cASA).
• To investigate the relationship between plasma ASA levels and platelet inhibition.
• To assess the correlation between in vitro and in vivo antiplatelet activity.

Main Methods:

• 12 healthy male subjects participated in the study.
• Subjects received oral doses of ecASA, cASA, or ecASA with sodium salicylate.
• Platelet aggregation was measured via collagen-induced 14C-serotonin release.
• Plasma ASA and salicylic acid levels were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Main Results:

• Both ecASA and cASA significantly inhibited 14C-serotonin release.
• No significant difference in maximum antiplatelet effect was observed between ecASA and cASA (p < 0.05).
• No correlation was found between maximum plasma ASA levels and the maximum antiplatelet effect, nor between in vitro and in vivo inhibition.

Conclusions:

• Enteric-coated aspirin and compressed aspirin tablets demonstrate comparable in vivo inhibition of platelet aggregation.
• Plasma ASA concentrations do not reliably predict the extent of antiplatelet effect.
• In vitro assessments of ASA's antiplatelet activity may not accurately reflect in vivo responses.