C3 METABOLISM IN ULCERATIVE-COLITIS AND CROHNS-DISEASE

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 28 (3), 490-495
Abstract
The metabolism of the third component of complement (C3) was investigated in 4 patients with ulcerative colitis, 3 patients with Crohn''s disease and 7 control subjects, using radioiodinated C3 prepared from fresh human plasma. The fractional catabolic rate and synthesis rate of C3 were increased in the patients with inflammatory bowel disease, although the serum-C3 levels were normal or raised. Complement activation may play a role in the pathogenesis of mucosal inflammation in these diseases.