Complement activity and vitamin C

Abstract

Complement titrations, using 50% haemolysis as the end-point, were performed on 40 guinea pigs maintained on different levels of intake of vitamin C, i.e., on a deficient diet, supplemented with 0.5, 1 and 10 mg. of ascorbic acid daily, respectively. The results were evaluated statistically. No significant change in complement was found to occur in guinea pigs partially or completely deficient in vitamin C. Addition of cabbage to the diet did not result in any change in the complement titre as compared with that of guinea-pigs whose diet was supplemented with adequate amts. of synthetic vitamin C. Hence, the state of nutrition with regard to vitamin C had no influence upon the complement activity of serum.