The effect of methylmethacrylate on complement activity.

The effect of methylmethacrylate on the activity of the complement sequence has been investigated in vitro by standard hemolysis techniques. It was demonstrated that concentrations of methylmethacrylate monomer as low as .25% inhibit the reactions of the complement sequence by 50%. Methylmethacrylate concentrations of 2.5 to 5.0% abolished all complement activity. This effect is on the late-acting components of the complement sequence which are important for chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, immune adherence of bacteria to polymorphonuclear leukocytes, phagocytosos of bacteria by polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and bacteriolysis.