Anaphylatoxins and terminal complement complexes in pancreatitis. Evidence of complement activation in plasma and ascites fluid of patients with acute pancreatitis
L. I. Roxvall, L. A. Bengtson and J. M. Heideman
Department of Surgery, Sahlgrens Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Complement activation has been proposed as a mediator of remote
complications of acute pancreatitis. Thirty-seven patients with acute
pancreatitis were studied with respect to the formation of anaphylatoxins
(C3a/C3adesArg, C5a/C5adesArg) and terminal complement complexes (TCC) in
plasma and ascites fluid. The patients were classified according to
Ranson's criteria. Eighteen patients with moderate or severe pancreatitis
had higher maximum plasma C3a/C3adesArg and TCC concentrations than 19
patients with mild pancreatitis. During convalescence, the concentrations
had returned to normal. High concentrations of C5a/C5adesArg and TCC were
also found in ascites and pancreatic cyst fluid, drawn from patients with
moderate or severe pancreatitis. As the terminal complement pathway
activation is involved in reactive lysis and anaphylatoxins increase
vascular permeability, anemia and impaired respiration in these patients
may be influenced by complement activation.
