The suppressive effect of meperidine on PHA-stimulated transformation of human lymphocytes

The effect of meperidine on the response of human peripheral lymphocyte in culture to the stimulation by the mitogen, phytohemagglutinin, was studied by measuring the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA. The addition of meperidine at a high concentration (40-200 micrograms/ml) resulted in significant decrease in response to mitogen, the inhibition being dose-dependent. Meperidine may influence immune responses by altering DNA synthesis in the lymphocytes.