DECREASE OF THE C3-COMPLEMENT COMPONENT IN EARLY-ONSET INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 9  (1) , 66-68
Abstract
Complement components C3, C4 and C3A were measured by immunodiffusion in plasma of 36 recent onset insulin-dependent diabetics (IDD) and compared to plasma complement levels of 19 long-standing IDD and 18 nondiabetic controls. A significant decrease of C3 and a mild increase of C3A was found in a recent-onset diabetes group. These variations could not be correlated with IgG-islet cell antibodies, C3-fixing islet cell antibodies or A-B HLA antigens. No significant difference was found between long-standing IDD and controls for the 3 complement components. In conclusion, the decrease of C3 found in 30% of recent-onset IDD, might be due to increased complement consumption either by the insulitis process or by circulating immune complexes.

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