A goal of aspirin therapy is to inhibit thromboxane production and platelet aggregation without inhibiting endothelial production of the vasodilator and anti-thrombotic prostacyclin. This study tested the hypothesis that extended-release aspirin (NHP-554C) would have increased selectivity for inhibition of basal and simulated thromboxane formation compared to immediate-release aspirin (ASA). Thirty-six healthy subjects were randomized to NHP-554C or ASA groups. Within each group, subjects were randomized to 5-day treatment with 81 mg/d, 162.5 mg/d and placebo in a crossover design in which treatment periods were separated by 2-week washout. On the fifth day of treatment, 81 mg/d and 162.5 mg/d ASA reduced basal urinary excretion of the stable thromboxane metabolite 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 62.3% and 66.2% and basal excretion of the stable prostacyclin metabolite 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1α 22.8% and 26.5%, respectively, compared to placebo. NHP-554C 81 mg/d and 162.5 mg/d reduced 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 53% (P = 0.03 vs. ASA 81 mg/d) and 67.9% and 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1α 13.4% and 18.5%, respectively. NHP-554C 81 mg/d did not significantly reduce basal excretion of the prostacyclin metabolite. Both doses of ASA and NHP significantly reduced excretion of both thromboxane and prostacyclin metabolites following intravenous bradykinin. During NHP-554C 162.5 mg/d, but not during ASA, bradykinin significantly increased urinary 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1α. Nevertheless, 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 and 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1α responses to bradykinin were statistically similar during ASA and NHP-554C. In conclusion, at doses of 81 and 162.5 mg/d immediate- and extended-release aspirin selectively decrease basal thromboxane production. Both forms of aspirin decrease bradykinin-stimulated thromboxane and prostacyclin production, but some stimulated prostacyclin production remains during treatment with NHP-554C.
Keywords: Aspirin; bradykinin; prostacyclin; thromboxane.