The Acetyl- in Aspirin
Authors: MAX SAMTER
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1969)

Editorial Notes1 July 1969The Acetyl- in AspirinMAX SAMTER, M.D.MAX SAMTER, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-71-1-208 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptA recent paper on structural changes in human serum albumin (HSA) induced by acetylsalicylic acid (1) raises additional questions about the differences between aspirin and other salicylates which have lately been the subject of spirited discussion. Acetylsalicylic acid acetylates the lysine residue of HSA in vitro and in vivo; after hydrolysis a unique peptide A appears which replaces the normal peptides, B and C, that are found after tryptic digestion of non-acetylated albumin. Ingestion of sodium salicylate, on the other hand, does not yield peptide A. It is suggested that the aspirin-induced alteration of HSA—either acetylation or salicyloyl amide formation—might...References1. HAWKINS D, PINCKARD RN, CRAWFORD IP, and FARR RS: Structural changes in human serum albumin induced by ingestion of acetylsalicylic acid. J. Clin. Invest. 48: 536, 1969. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. YURCHAK AM, WICHER K, and ARBESMAN CE: Immunologic studies on aspirin hypersensitivity. American Academy of Allergy Annual Meeting, March 18, 1969, Miami, Fla. Google Scholar3. O'BRIEN JR: Effects of salicylates on human platelets. Lancet 1: 779, 1968. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. MACMILLAN DC: Effect of salicylates on human platelets. Lancet 2: 280, 1968. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. LIM RK: A revised concept of the mechanism of analgesia and pain, in Pain, Henry Ford Hospital International Symposium, edited by KNIGHTON, R. S., DUMKE, P. R., Little, Brown and Co., Boston, 1966, pp. 117-154. Google Scholar6. QUICK AJ: Aspirin, alcohol and gastric hemorrhage. Lancet 1: 623, 1969. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. GROSS F and MERZ E: Pharmakologische Eigenschaften des Trafuril, eines neuen Nikotinsäureesters mit hyperämisierender Wirkung. Schweiz. Med. Wschr. 78: 1151, 1948. MedlineGoogle Scholar8. FISHERMAN EW, CZARNY D, and SAMTER M: The effect of aspirin and analgesics of comparable action on the peripheral vascular bed of normal persons and aspirin-sensitive patients. In preparation. Google Scholar9. PATON WD: Pharmacology of vasodilator drugs with special reference to the skin, in Progress in the Biological Sciences in Relation to Dermatology, edited by ROOK, A., Cambridge University Press, London, 1960, p. 429. Google Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: MAX SAMTER, M.D.Affiliations: Department of Medicine University of Illinois College of Medicine Chicago, Ill. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byUse of Salicylates in Rheumatic and Related ConditionsAspirin versus the non-acetylated salicylatesDrug AllergyFood colours — harmless aesthetics or epicurean luxuries?Salicylates in Rheumatoid ArthritisIntolerance to Aspirin 1 July 1969Volume 71, Issue 1Page: 208-209KeywordsAlbuminsAspirinDigestionIngestionLysineSalicylatesSerum albuminSodium ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 July 1969 PDF downloadLoading ...