The Effects of Cyclosporine and Aspirin on Platelet Function in Normal Dogs

BACKGROUND Cyclosporine increases thromboxane synthesis in dogs, potentially increasing the thrombogenic properties of platelets. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES Our hypothesis was that the concurrent administration of low-dose aspirin and cyclosporine would inhibit cyclosporine-associated thromboxane synthesis without altering the antiplatelet effects of aspirin. The objective was to determine the effects of cyclosporine and aspirin on primary hemostasis. ANIMALS Seven healthy dogs. METHODS A randomized, crossover study utilized turbidimetric aggregometry and a platelet function analyzer to evaluate platelet function during the administration of low-dose aspirin (1 mg/kg PO q24h), high-dose aspirin (10 mg/kg PO q12h), cyclosporine (10 mg/kg PO q12h), and combined low-dose aspirin and cyclosporine. The urine 11-dehydro-thromboxane-B2 (11-dTXB2 )-to-creatinine ratio also was determined. RESULTS On days 3 and 7 of administration, there was no difference in the aggregometry amplitude or the platelet function analyzer closure time between the low-dose aspirin group and the combined low-dose aspirin and cyclosporine group. On day 7, there was a significant difference in amplitude and closure time between the cyclosporine group and the combined low-dose aspirin and cyclosporine group. High-dose aspirin consistently inhibited platelet function. On both days, there was a significant difference in the urinary 11-dTXB2 -to-creatinine ratio between the cyclosporine group and the combined low-dose aspirin and cyclosporine group. There was no difference in the urinary 11-dTXB2 -to-creatinine ratio among the low-dose aspirin, high-dose aspirin, and combined low-dose aspirin and cyclosporine groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Low-dose aspirin inhibits cyclosporine-induced thromboxane synthesis, and concurrent use of these medications does not alter the antiplatelet effects of aspirin.