The antiaggregating and antithrombotic activity of clopidogrel is potentiated by aspirin in several experimental models in the rabbit

Thromb Haemost. 1998 Sep;80(3):512-8.

Abstract

It is unknown whether the addition of aspirin might increase both the efficacy and the potency of clopidogrel, a potent and selective ADP blocker. For that purpose, the efficacy of clopidogrel (1-20 mg/kg, p.o.) administered orally to rabbits alone or in combination with aspirin (0.1-10 mg/kg, p.o.) was determined in several experimental models. A potent synergistic effect of the clopidogrel/aspirin association was demonstrated with regard to collagen-induced platelet aggregation measured ex vivo. Similarly, aspirin potentiated the antithrombotic activity of clopidogrel measured with regard to experimental thrombosis induced by a silk thread or on stents placed in an arteriovenous shunt, thrombus formation following electrical stimulation of the rabbit carotid artery and with regard to 111In-labeled platelet deposition on a stent implanted in an arteriovenous shunt or on the subendothelium following air drying injury of the rabbit carotid artery. A similar potentiating effect of aspirin was obtained with regard to myointimal proliferation (restenosis) in the femoral arteries of atherosclerotic rabbits which occurred as a consequence of stent placement. The clopidogrel/aspirin combination showed only additive-type effects on bleeding time prolongation induced by ear transection in the rabbit, therefore showing that combined inhibition of cyclooxygenase and ADP's effects provide a marked enhanced antithrombotic efficacy. Such a combination may provide substantial protection against platelet aggregation leading to thrombotic occlusion at sites of endothelial injuries and coronary artery stenosis in humans.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aspirin / pharmacology*
  • Aspirin / therapeutic use
  • Clopidogrel
  • Constriction, Pathologic / drug therapy
  • Drug Synergism
  • Femoral Artery / pathology*
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / pharmacology
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Platelet Aggregation / drug effects*
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Rabbits
  • Thrombosis / drug therapy*
  • Ticlopidine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Ticlopidine / pharmacology
  • Ticlopidine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Fibrinolytic Agents
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Clopidogrel
  • Ticlopidine
  • Aspirin