Suppression of Lymphocyte Transformation after Aspirin Ingestion

Abstract To learn whether in vitro blastogenesis of lymphocytes is affected by in vivo salicylate ingestion, blood samples were obtained from 19 normal volunteers before and after therapeutic doses of aspirin. Lymphocyte transformation studies performed on these blood samples showed marked and statistically significant suppression of blastogenesis. Maximum suppression was observed in blood samples obtained 12 hours after the last aspirin ingestion. As compared to controls, samples obtained at this time showed mean blastogenic responses to phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogens of 49 and 56 per cent respectively. No correlation could be demonstrated between the plasma salicylic acid level and the degree of suppression of blastogenesis. Aspirin ingestion altered neither the proportions of circulating T and B cells nor the viability of lymphocytes in culture. (N Engl J Med 292:221–223,1975)