Alleged Anticomplementary Effect of Aspirin

Abstract

VAN OSS et al.¹ recently reported that aspirin at concentrations of 2.2 × 10⁻³ M (40 mgm./100 ml.) inhibited the lysis of red cells in a simple complement-hæmolysis reaction, but that sodium salicylate was inactive. This was interesting in view of the therapeutic action of aspirin against diseases such as the rheumatic disorders which are thought to involve immunological phenomena². Two other related compounds, salicylaldoxime and salicylaldehyde, were earlier reported³ to inhibit red cell lysis in a similar reaction. I therefore investigated the complement-hæmolysis technique since it might usefully predict anti-rheumatic activity in other salicylate derivatives.