Abstract

MERLIN LINARES, Julio C et al. Alterations of the complement system in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Rev Cubana Hematol Inmunol Hemoter [online]. 2003, vol.19, n.1, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-2996.

The activity of the complement system was determined in 26 adult patients that were suffering from end-stage diabetic nephropathy. In these patients, it was observed a significant reduction (p<0.001) of the haemolytic activity of the classical pathway, of the serum levels of the subcomponent Clq and of the serum levels of the component C4. However, the haemolytic activity of the alternative pathway, the haemolytic activity of factor B and the serum levels of component C3 were within the normal range. These results suggest that the prolonged decrease of some of the initial components of the classical pathway of the complement may be a factor that predisposes these patients for the autoimmune processes, or that may contribute to the maintenance of the autoimunity state

Keywords : DIABETES MELLITUS, INSULIN-DEPENDENT [complications]; DIABETES MELLITUS [immunology]; DIABETIC NEPHROPATHIES [immunology]; COMPLEMENT 4 [deficiency]; COMPLEMENT [deficiency].