Aspirin aggravates the degeneration of canine joint cartilage caused by immobilization

Palmoski MJ, Brandt KD · Arthritis and Rheumatism

Aspirin significantly worsened immobilization-induced cartilage degeneration — greater loss of uronic acid (proteoglycan) and greater suppression of proteoglycan synthesis (p<0.01) than immobilization alone.

Population

Dogs with hind-limb immobilization

Intervention

Aspirin dosed to human anti-inflammatory serum salicylate levels (20–25 mg/dl) during immobilization

Comparator

Immobilized limbs without aspirin

Limitations

Canine model at anti-inflammatory (higher than modern cardioprotective) salicylate levels; species and dosing gaps to human use.