Common Painkillers Blunt Immune Response, New Research Indicates

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Common Painkillers Blunt Immune Response, New Research Indicates

by Editor

ImmuneSupport.com

12-20-2006

Using a common painkiller such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, etc.)

" might not be a good idea " around the time of a flu shot or other inoculation,

according to a new report from vaccine researchers at the University of

Rochester (New York). In particular, you probably should avoid taking one for

pain at your injection site. These widely used drugs, known as NSAIDs

(nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), appear to interfere with the body's

immune response, and particularly with the intended production of antibodies

after a vaccination.

The findings have " widespread implications, " the researchers note, since from 50

to 70 percent of Americans use NSAIDs for pain and inflammation relief. (And

usage is likely even higher among Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

patients.) The revelation may be particularly important for older people, who

are often heavy users of NSAIDs, and tend to be poor responders to flu and other

vaccinations, says lead researcher P. Phipps, PhD, a professor of

Microbiology and Immunology. " This study could help explain the immune response

problem, " he notes.

NSAIDs Inhibit More Than -2

NSAIDs are also known as " cox-2 inhibitors. " The cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) enzyme

acts to support repair of damage done by infection, a process that involves some

degree of fever and inflammation (potentially pain). And the cox-2 inhibiting

drugs blunt this response.

However, in studying the blood of subjects vaccinated during testing of the new

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine to prevent cervical cancer, the investigators

discovered that the cox-2 enzyme also influences the activity of human

B-lymphocytes (B-cells) - the type of white blood cell that springs into action

to produce antibodies when we're vaccinated. These " B-cells " work both to

neutralize invading viral agents and produce memories of them for future

recognition and response. The blood of vaccinated subjects produced a rich

supply of antibodies to the HPV virus. But when cox-2 inhibitors were introduced

to the subjects' blood, the B-cells' ability to produce antibodies was severely

reduced.

The researchers produced a similar finding by testing relationship between cox-2

expression and B-cell antibody production in animals. Two groups of mice were

vaccinated - one group that had been engineered to be cox-2 deficient and one

normal control group. The cox-2 deficient animals made 50 to 70 percent fewer

antibodies than the normal control animals.

Implications for the Immune Compromised?

The scientists say they don't yet understand exactly how cox-2 influences immune

response. And while they emphasize they're not questioning the HPV vaccine,

which proved effective in many trials even though some subjects undoubtedly had

taken NSAIDs, they believe the extent of immune response generally " may depend

upon the dose and frequency of NSAID use. " They suggest that " the negative

effects of blocking cox-2 could be more pronounced in people with compromised

immune systems, " and in situations where lower-than-optimal doses are

administered when vaccines are in short supply.

The study report, " Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibition Attenuates Antibody Responses

Against Human Papillomavirus-Like Particles, " by EP , et al., was published

in the December 1, 2006 issue of The Journal of Immunology

http://www.jimmunol.org/cgi/content/abstract/177/11/7811