Kwas acetylosalicylowy i jego zastosowanie w profilaktyce chorób u kobiet po menopauzie

Abstract

Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is a simple chemical compound belonging to a group of nonsteroidal antiinflammatorydrugs (NSAIDs). The mechanism of acetylsalicylic acid is based on the inhibition of cyclooxygenase(COX). That enzyme is responsible for the biosynthesis of cyclic prostanoids, i.e. prostaglandins (D2, E2, F2, I2),thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and prostacyclin. For this reason ASA is one of the most popular anti-inflammatorydrugs present on the pharmaceutical market. Due to its ability to inhibit the synthesis of TXA2 (moleculescapable of platelet activation) ASA is effective in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases such as ischemicheart disease. Clinical trials confirm the efficacy of aspirin in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases inpostmenopausal women. In some cases ASA is unable to inhibit platelet activation. This phenomenon iscalled aspirin resistance. Acetylsalicylic acid can also inhibit aromatase activity, therefore it may be used inthe prevention of breast cancer. Many clinical trials confirm that acetylsalicylic acid reduces the risk of breastcancer in postmenopausal women. Use of ASA may also increase bone mineral density (BMD). This articledescribes the mechanism of action and pharmacokinetics of the acetylsalicylic acid as well as clinical trialsconducted on postmenopausal women.

Keywords

• aspirin
• acetylsalicylic acid
• cardiovascular diseases
• breast cancer
• menopause