Pharmacology: Effects of Copper-aspirin Complex on Platelet Aggregation and Thrombosis in Rabbits and Mice

The effects of intragastric and intraduodenal copper-aspirin complex on rabbit platelet aggregation were observed by Born's method. Myers's method was used to evaluate the antithrombotic effect of copper-aspirin complex in mice. In-vitro copper-aspirin complex selectively inhibited arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation with an IC50 value (concentration resulting in 50% inhibition) of 13.2 μM (95% confidence limits 9.1–16.8 μM). Copper-aspirin complex (10 mg kg^?1 given intragastrically or intraduodenally) was more potent than aspirin in inhibiting arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation. Copper-aspirin complex (10 mg kg^?1) had a stronger inhibitory effect and a longer duration of action when given intragastrically than when given intraduodenally. It was shown by radioimmunoassay that copper-aspirin complex significantly reduced the level of thromboxane B₂ in plasma while markedly increasing that of 6-ketoprostaglandin F_1α (6keto-PGF_1α). Copper-aspirin complex (10 mg kg^?1 given intragastrically for 7 days) significantly reduced mouse mortality caused by intravenous injection of arachidonic acid. The results suggest that both in-vitro and in-vivo copper-aspirin complex is more potent in selectively inhibiting arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation than aspirin. When given intragastrically the complex has a more potent antiplatelet effect and a longer duration of action than when given intraduodenally. The antithrombotic effect of the complex was more potent than that of aspirin.