Inhibition of platelet prostaglandin synthetase by oral aspirin

• Published in: The Journal of clinical investigation Vol. 61; no. 2; pp. 314 - 319
• Main Authors: Burch, J W, Stanford, N, Majerus, P W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.02.1978
• Subjects: Acetylation; Adult; Animals; Aspirin - pharmacology; Blood Platelets - enzymology; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases - blood; Seminal Vesicles - enzymology; Sheep
• ISSN: 0021-9738; 1558-8238
• DOI: 10.1172/jci108941

Aspirin inhibits platelet function by permanently acetylating the cyclooxygenase that forms prostaglandins. We determined the sensitivity of platelets to aspirin in normal subjects by measuring [3H-acetyl]aspirin-susceptible cyclooxygenase in washed platelets obtained at various times after aspirin ingestion. A single 325-mg aspirin dose inactivated 89% of platelet cyclooxygenase. The inhibition persisted for 2 days suggesting that oral aspirin also inactivated megakaryocyte cyclooxygenase. Thereafter, active enzyme returned with a time-course reflecting platelet turnover (life-span 8.2+/-2 days). Single doses of 20-650 mg aspirin resulted in 34- greater than 95% inhibition after 24 h. Daily doses of 20-325 mg aspirin for brief periods produced 61- greater than 95% inactivation when measured 24 h after cessation of the drug. Platelet cyclooxygenase is more sensitive to inactivation by aspirin than enzyme in sheep seminal vesicles.