Effects of low-dose aspirin and fish oil on platelet function and NF-kappaB in adults with diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Introduction: Many diabetics are insensitive to aspirin's platelet anti-aggregation effects. The possible modulating effects of co-administration of aspirin and fish oil in subjects with diabetes are poorly characterized.

Participants and methods: Thirty adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus were treated with aspirin 81 mg/d for 7 days, then with fish oil 4 g/day for 28 days, then the combination of fish oil and aspirin for another 7 days.

Results: Aspirin alone and in combination with fish oil reduced platelet aggregation in most participants. Five of 7 participants classified as aspirin insensitive 1 week after daily aspirin ingestion were sensitive after the combination. Although some platelet aggregation measures correlated positively after aspirin and fish oil ingestion alone and (in combination) in all individuals, correlation was only observed in those who were aspirin insensitive after ingestion of the combination.

Conclusions: Co-administration of aspirin and fish oil may reduce platelet aggregation more than aspirin alone in adults with diabetes mellitus.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01181882.