Mechanism of action of aspirin

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Tridimensional model of the chemical structure of aspirin.

mitochondria,[3] and the modulation of signaling through NF-κB, are also being investigated. Some of its effects are like those of salicylic acid
, which is not an acetylating agent.

Effects on cyclooxygenase

See also: Cyclooxygenase
Structure of COX-2 inactivated by Aspirin. In the active site of each of the two enzymes, Serine 516 has been acetylated. Also visible is the salicylic acid which has transferred the acetyl group, and the heme cofactor.

There are at least two different cyclooxygenase

lipoxins, most of which are anti-inflammatory secreted from immune cells (neutrophils and macrophages) resulting from stressors on the body[7]

Newer NSAID drugs called

COX-2 selective inhibitors have been developed that inhibit only COX-2, with the hope for reduction of gastrointestinal side-effects.[8] However, several COX-2 selective inhibitors have subsequently been withdrawn after evidence emerged that COX-2 inhibitors increase the risk of heart attack.[9] The underlying mechanism for the deleterious effect proposes that endothelial cells lining the microvasculature in the body express COX-2, whose selective inhibition results in levels of prostaglandin I2 (PGI2, prostacyclin) down-regulated relative to thromboxane (since COX-1 in platelets is unaffected).[citation needed] Thus, the protective anti-coagulative effect of PGI2 is decreased, increasing the risk of thrombus and associated heart attacks and other circulatory problems.[citation needed] As platelets have only mitochondria DNA (mtDNA), they are unable to synthesize new COX once aspirin has irreversibly inhibited the enzyme, an important difference between aspirin and the reversible inhibitors.[10]

Effects on prostaglandins and thromboxanes

Prostaglandins are local chemical messengers that exert multiple effects including but not limited to the transmission of pain information to the brain, modulation of the hypothalamic thermostat, and inflammation. They are produced in response to the stimulation of phospholipids within the plasma membrane of cells resulting in the release of arachidonic acid (prostaglandin precursor).[11] Thromboxanes are responsible for the aggregation of

blood clots.[12]

Low-dose, long-term aspirin use irreversibly blocks the formation of thromboxane A2 in platelets, producing an inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation.[13]

This antiplatelet property makes aspirin useful for reducing the incidence of heart attacks;[13] heart attacks are primarily caused by blood clots, and their reduction with the introduction of small amounts of aspirin has been seen to be an effective medical intervention.[citation needed] A dose of 40 mg of aspirin a day is able to inhibit a large proportion of maximum thromboxane A2 release provoked acutely, with the prostaglandin I2 synthesis being little affected; however, higher doses of aspirin are required to attain further inhibition.[14]

A side-effect of aspirin mechanism is that the ability of the blood in general to clot is reduced, and excessive bleeding may result from the use of aspirin.[15]

Other methods of action

Aspirin has been shown to have three additional modes of action. It uncouples

hepatic) mitochondria, by diffusing from the intermembrane space as a proton carrier back into the mitochondrial matrix, where it ionizes once again to release protons.[16] In short, aspirin buffers and transports the protons, acting as a competitor to ATP synthase
. When high doses of aspirin are given, aspirin may actually cause hyperthermia due to the heat released from the electron transport chain, as opposed to the antipyretic action of aspirin seen with lower doses.

Additionally, aspirin induces the formation of NO-radicals in the body, which have been shown in mice to have an independent mechanism of reducing inflammation. This reduces leukocyte adhesion, which is an important step in immune response to infection. There is currently insufficient evidence to show that aspirin helps to fight infection.[17]

More recent data also suggests that salicylic acid and its derivatives modulate signaling through NF-κB.[18] NF-κB is a transcription factor complex that plays a central role in many biological processes, including inflammation.

Reye's syndrome

See also:
Reye's syndrome

Reye's syndrome is a potentially fatal disease that causes numerous detrimental effects to many organs, especially the brain and liver, as well as causing hypoglycemia.[19] The exact cause is unknown, and while it has been associated with aspirin consumption by children with viral illness, it also occurs in the absence of aspirin use.

The disease causes

fatty liver with minimal inflammation and severe encephalopathy (with swelling of the brain). The liver may become slightly enlarged and firm, and there is a change in the appearance of the kidneys. Jaundice is not usually present.[20]

Early diagnosis is vital; while most children recover with supportive therapy, severe brain injury or death are potential complications.

See also

References

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  11. ^ Sherwood L (2013). Human Physiology: from Cells to Systems. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. p. 758.
  12. PMID 34769074
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  13. ^ a b "Aspirin in Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention". American Heart Association. Archived from the original on 1 November 2004. The American Heart Association recommends aspirin use for patients who've had a myocardial infarction (heart attack), unstable angina, ischemic stroke (caused by blood clot) or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs or "little strokes"), if not contraindicated. This recommendation is based on sound evidence from clinical trials showing that aspirin helps prevent the recurrence of such events as heart attack, hospitalization for recurrent angina, second strokes, etc. (secondary prevention). Studies show aspirin also helps prevent these events from occurring in people at high risk (primary prevention).
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  19. ^ "Reye syndrome" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
  20. ISBN 978-0-521-85657-7
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