Purpose: To study the immunosuppressant and immunopotentiating effects of ketoprofen on antibody-producing cells.

Methods: Mice were given ketoprofen at doses of 1 mg/kg/day and 5 mg/kg/day for seven days. Similarly polyinosinic–polycytidylic acid (Poly IC) and phosphate buffer saline (PBS) were used as positive and negative control, respectively, for seven days. After seven days, the mice were sacrificed and their spleens removed. Simultaneously, blood was withdrawn from the hearts of the mice and serum was separated from the blood. The spleen cells were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) while the serum was investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbant (ELISA) to evaluate the effects of ketoprofen on the ability of individual cell to produce antibodies and antibody- mediated immune responses.

Results: Ketoprofen significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the ability of individual cells to produce antibodies. There was a significant difference (p < 0.001) in % of spot forming cells of PBS treated negative control group (0.045 %) as against positive control (0.058 %), 1 mg ketoprofen /kg/day (0.037 %) and 5 mg ketoprofen/kg/day (0.032 %) treated groups. The results of ELISA showed a significant (p < 0.005) difference in the absorbance values between negative control, positive control, ELISA control and ketoprofen treated groups. Absorbance was significantly (p < 0.005) reduced in ketoprofen-treated groups.

Conclusion: The ability of an individual cell to produce antibodies and antibody-mediated immune responses is suppressed by ketoprofen, suggesting that it is immunosuppressive, and thus indicating its potential application in patients with auto-immune disorders.