Abstract
Background & Objective: Aspirin is widely used as analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug. The aim of this study was to investigate the side effects of aspirin on placenta.
Materials and Methods: Forty balb/c female mice were randomly divided into experimental and placebo groups; further each placebo and experimental groups were divided into groups 1 & 2. All animals were mated with male mice. Pregnant experimental mice were treated daily by 200 mg/ kg aspirin dissolved in I ml saline (through gavage) during pregnancy while, the animals of placebo groups received saline (1 ml
/kg/day). Mice in groups 1(both placebo and experimental) were anesthetized and killed at day 10 and mice
in groups 2 (both placebo and experimental) were killed at day 20 of gestation. Placentas were removed and processed for histological evaluation using routine histological procedures.
Results: Abortion occurred in two pregnant mice in experimental group 1 and in seven in experimental group 2. There was no abortion in placebo groups. Pathologic changes i.e. syncicial degeneration and fibrotic tissue formation were present in placental tissues of both experimental groups but no histological changes were observed in placebo groups.
Conclusion: Side effects of aspirin such as gastrointestinal bleeding has been reported in several studies. Placental bleeding and subsequently abortion was observed in this study. Therefore, it can be proposed that consumption of aspirin may cause bleeding and disconnectivity in placenta and may cause abortion. It may be suggested that aspirin should be used in pregnant women with caution.
