ASPIRIN AND CALCIUM ASPIRIN THEIR ACTION ON GROWING BONE

¹ From the Pharmacological Department, Guy's Hospital

1. Relatively large doses of aspirin (equivalent on a per kilogram basis to 10 times the maximum official B.P. dose) given daily for a month to young rats did not cause any decalcification of the bone as judged by x-ray translucency.

2. Aspirin broadens the calcified zone in ossifying cartilage.

3. This effect is due to the acetylsalicylyl radicle rather than to the acidic nature of aspirin.

4. The addition of calcium to the molecule to form the calcium salt protects young animals from the harmful action of aspirin on growing bone.

5. Calcium aspirin taken by mouth raises the percentage of calcium in blood serum.

6. Repeated slightly toxic doses of calcium aspirin interfere less with the growth of young rats than do equivalent amounts of aspirin itself.