CIRCULATING IMMUNE-COMPLEXES IN ULCERATIVE-COLITIS .2. CORRELATION WITH SERUM-PROTEIN CONCENTRATIONS AND COMPLEMENT CONVERSION PRODUCTS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 31  (1) , 81-91
Abstract
Several serum proteins were quantified in 22 patients with active ulcerative colitis, and the findings were related to disease activity and occurrence of circulating immune complexes (IC). Conversion of C3 [3rd component of complement] was significantly more frequent in the IC-positive group (8 patients) as compared to the IC-negative group (14 patients). .hivin.B [activated factor B] was demonstrable in 15 of 22 patients and 7 of 8 IC-positive patients had detectable levels of .hivin.B. There was no difference between the IC-positive and the IC-negative group as regards serum concentrations of the complement factors C3, C4 and factor B or serum orosomucoid, albumin, IgM and IgG. The serum IgA levels tended to be reduced in the IC-positive group. C3 and factor B were significantly elevated in 4 patients with severe disease activity. C3, factor B and C4 concentrations showed a positive correlation to the serum orosomucoid levels. The serum concentrations of orosomucoid and albumin were inversely correlated to each other.