Parenteral aspirin produces and enhances gastric mucosal lesions and bleeding in rats.

The effect of parenteral sodium acetylsalicylate (Na ASA) on the development of gastric mucosal lesions and bleeding was studied in control rats and in rats subjected to cold-restraint stress. Although both doses of Na ASA studied, 15 and 60 mg/kg intraperitoneally, alone resulted in lesion formation, only with the larger dose did this reach the level of statistical significance. However both doses of Na ASA alone significantly increased blood loss as measured by a decrease in hematocrit value. The administration of Na ASA 15 MG/kg intraperitoneally to animals subjected to cold-restraint significantly increased blood loss, but not lesion formation, while the larger dose of Na ASA significantly increased both parameters. Thus parenteral aspirin not only can cause gastric mucosal damage and bleeding, but it can enhance lesion formation and blood loss produced by cold-restraint. Two mechanisms may be involved: a smaller dose of Na ASA significantly affecting hemostasis but a larger dose being required for gastric mucosal damage.