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We read with interest the commentary by Eidelman et al¹ in regard to aspirin, postmenopausal hormones, and C-reactive protein (CRP). The authors discuss the potential value of CRP, a sensitive marker of inflammation, in predicting cardiovascular events and the effects of aspirin in reducing CRP. There are 2 additional points worth considering: first, how aspirin produces the anti-inflammatory effect and, second, that "endogenous" salicylic acid may influence the background inflammatory state and the effects of aspirin. Aspirin has a short half-life and is rapidly metabolized and hydrolyzed to salicylic acid, its principal metabolite.² The anti-inflammatory action of aspirin is probably due to salicylic acid,³ although how salicylic acid exerts its anti-inflammatory action in vivo is the subject of much research; salicylic acid has little effect on cyclooxygenase-2 activity in vitro. There is substantial interindividual variation in serum salicylic acid concentrations after the administration of aspirin, 75 mg/d.⁴ This is related, . . . [Full Text of this Article]