Can An Aspirin A Day Keep Artherosclerosis At Bay?

Science Daily ^ | 9-4-2002

[blam]

Date: Posted 9/4/2002

Can An Aspirin A Day Keep Atherosclerosis At Bay?

Philadelphia, PA -– The original miracle drug, aspirin, continues to surprise medical scientists. While studies have proven that aspirin can prevent a second heart attack by thinning the blood, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have shown that aspirin can also prevent heart attacks and stroke through an entirely different mechanism. Using laboratory models, the Penn researchers demonstrated that aspirin also lessens the inflammation associated with atherosclerosis and stabilizes athersclerotic plaque. Their findings are presented in the current issue of Circulation. "The past decade has seen a lot of research indicating that atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease," said Domenico Praticò, MD, assistant professor in Penn's Department of Pharmacology. "Our findings show that aspirin not only decreases inflammation in the arteries and the growth of the atherosclerotic plaque, but it also beneficially alters the consistency of the plaque that remains."

Atherosclerosis, also known as hardening of the arteries, is a main cause of heart attacks and strokes, two leading causes of death in the United States. A variety of factors, including genetics and diet, spur the disease, which occurs as cholesterol-rich cells of the immune system accumulate inside of blood vessels. As these plaques grow, they cause the blood vessels to narrow. If a portion of the plaque breaks off it can induce the formation of a thrombus, a blood clot that could completely obstruct blood flow and cause a heart attack. Likewise, a portion of the thrombus could also travel through the bloodstream to the brain, where it could cause a stroke.

The Penn researchers found that low-dose aspirin leads to a change in the composition of the plaque, turning it from a soft foamy material to a harder material that is less likely to rupture.

"After aspirin, we find more collagen and smooth muscle cells in arterial plaque and significantly less cholesterol-rich cells," said Praticò. "Of course, it is better to have no plaque at all, but if you have plaque in your arteries, you would prefer it to stay put – where it will do the least harm."

Although the exact causes of atherosclerosis are unclear, researchers have known that the inflammation found in atherosclerosis is associated with increased levels of cellular inflammatory signals called cytokines. Plaque formation is also associated with increased levels in the aorta of a protein called NF-?B that controls the formation of these cytokines, stimulates the growth of immune cells and the accumulation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) – also known as the 'bad' cholesterol. The Penn researchers have found that aspirin lowers the amount of both cytokines in the blood stream and the NF-?B in the aorta, suggesting a potent anti-inflammatory action of the drug.

Praticò and his colleagues hypothesize that these novel effects of low-dose of aspirin are independent from its known function as blood thinner.

Aspirin directly inhibits the cycloxygenase (COX) enzyme, which allows platelets in the blood to form clots. After aspirin blocks COX, it enables this enzyme to produce powerful anti-inflammatory molecules such as lipoxins, which in turn could inhibit the formation of cytokines – the very molecules that may stimulate atherosclerosis.

While Praticò recognizes more research needs to be done, aspirin could provide a potent, and inexpensive way to fight atherosclerosis. Low-dose aspirin has already been proven effective in preventing a second heart attack. There is a danger, however, taking large doses of aspirin, which can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding.

So, what constitutes a low-dose?

"Generally, we consider between 80mg and 250mg of aspirin to be 'low-dosages' – about the amount you would find in children's aspirin," said Praticò. "Of course, anyone considering taking a regimen of low-dose aspirin should consult a physician first." The research detailed in this study was supported by grants from the American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health.

[blam]

I take two baby aspirins daily, one in the morning and one at night. (81mg each)

[LostTribe]

>I take two baby aspirins daily, one in the morning and one at night. (81mg each)

Same here.

[Doctor Stochastic]

Some years ago, the family doctor told me to take 500mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin A, and one 325 aspirin per day. She didn't know the mechanisms but she said the statistical studies showed this would help over the long run. (She's a heart and circulation specialist.)

[AppyPappy]

I used to but I had blood thinning problems. They have since gone away when I gave up the aspirin.

Not to mention that chasing the aspirin with a quart of vodka made my stomach hurt.

[stanz]

I've been taking one 81 mg. aspirin for almost two months now. One side effect - -- ordinary bruises look traumatic. A simple bump gives me a huge black and blue that spreads over a huge area. It's harmeless, but unsightly.

[PoisedWoman]

G'morning, blam. Thanks for posting this informative article. My doc suggested an aspirin every day, but I cut my aspirin in 4 parts and take 1 daily, equalling a baby aspirin at a much lower cost. Nuff for me.

I took 10 mg of Lipitor for four months and got my cholesterol down from 230 to 128. "Remarkable!" said doc. He said "All we had to do is wave the Lipitor label at your liver and it stopped making cholesterol." Which makes me a "high responder." As if i didn't know. The medical profession can kill me, and tries, with "normal" doses of meds. Perhaps I should get a Med-Alert bracelet made with this info, because if I'm ever in an accident and unconscious, they'll definitely kill me with drugs administered to save my life.

[Rifleman]

You want to add some vitamins C and E. They will reduce bruising besides all their other wonderful effects.

[blam]

"Not to mention that chasing the aspirin with a quart of vodka made my stomach hurt."

Try washing the aspirin down with two glasses of (red) wine daily instead. (I've read that the presence of any amount of aspirin (small) is helpful, try smaller doses)

[Your Nightmare]

Also, be sure to get your Omega 3s. Will help with atherosclerosis and a lot of other things (depression, arthritis, etc.). They do thin the blood a little, but not nearly as much as aspirin.

Omega 3s are especially important if you are pregnant or nursing. If anyone out there is pregnant or knows someone who is, it's very important for them to look into supplementing their Omega 3s (these are relatively new findings so don't rely on your ob/gyn, do your own research). They really are essential to the development of the brain (Omega 3s make up 60% of the brain). There is a least one study I know of that show that babies whose mothers supplemented Omega 3s had standard intelligence tests results 10% higher than those whose mothers didn't get enough Omega 3s.

I've been taking fish oil pills every day for the last 6 weeks and haven't felt this good in a long time. If you don't want to take pills, the recommendation is to eat fish (preferably cold water fish like salmon) 3-4 times a week.

[KSCITYBOY]

Thin blood? More like rocket fuel blood.

[blam]

"I took 10 mg of Lipitor for four months and got my cholesterol down from 230 to 128."

I can't take most of the cholesterol lowering drugs. I reduced my cholesterol 'number' from 258 to 204 in six months by taking 2gm of Colestipol twice daily. It was increased to 3gm twice daily recently but, no test yet. (My oldest brother died at age 51 (heart attack) and my next (youngest) brother is presently confined to a nursing home due to a heart attack and stroke at age 51. So...)

[Quix]

THANKS FOR GOOD POST!

[blam]

"Also, be sure to get your Omega 3s. "

I've eaten loads of 'deep water' fish (tuna/salmon) my whole life, just for that reason. There are a lot of (recent) reports about ultra-high levels of mercury in the fish. That could explain why I'm as "mad as a hatter." Someone has suggested Flax seeds for Omega 3.(?)

[bankwalker]

I've been taking fish oil pills

Any particular brand? I have been taking my liquid nutrient drink for a few months now and have never felt better. The only thing it is short on is the essential fatty acids. Everything else is in one package.

[MainFrame65]

I have the same hypersensitivity to most medications, but I thought it was a male thing. I have taken a single regular aspirin every day for over 10 years, starting a few months after a shoulder injury that has been gone for a long time. I also take lipitor, plus dyazide, lopressor, vasotec, and cardura for hypertension, but I had to work my way up to full dosages on all of them.

But my biggest problem is sedatives. I think I could feed a drug habit on 25 cents a day, for what they do to me. Even two teaspoons of Robitussin makes me too zapped to drive, or even to read, for hours at a time.

[AppyPappy]

I also take lipitor, plus dyazide, lopressor, vasotec, and cardura for hypertension

Do you live in a pharmacy?

[PoisedWoman]

Sorry to hear about your brothers, blam. My dad had near-fatal heart attack at 42, so I have family history that needs to be respected too.

Hope you're watching your diet and excersising daily. I often think of Rose Kennedy who lived forever...her food was weighed out to the gram for years. If you've tried the Zone Diet, you probably have one of those little food scales too. In his books on the Zone, Barry Sears has plenty to say about cholesterol. I lose weight in the Zone, too. Good, easy diet!

[LostTribe]

A 325 aspirin is a LOT, especially you are also taking blood pressure meds. A single 81 does just as much good, they say, even if only one every several days.

[Your Nightmare]

Flax seed doesn't have the full range of Omega 3s, fish oil is better. You need to make sure the fish oil you take is "molecularly distilled." This removes all the PCB, mercury, etc. This is especially important for pregnant women.

I've used two brands, Max DHA by Jarrow and the fish oil from Zone Perfect.

The Zone Diet doctor, Barry Sears, has a new book out called The Omega Rx Zone: The Miracle of the New High-Dose Fish Oil. I have it but haven't read it yet so I can't comment on it. I have done a lot of research on PubMed though. You'll be hearing a lot more about Omega 3s in the next few years, especially with pregnacies and babies. The FDA recently approved an Omega 3 supplements for baby food and formula, and there are a couple of brands on the market now.

[Doctor Stochastic]

I asked and they confirmed that they wanted 325. Of course I skip this if I take any other pain killers (nsaids) during the day (getting rarer fortunately.)