[Correlation of hepatic necrosis and complement system activation in fulminant viral hepatitis].

The relationship between complement activation and hepatic necrosis was investigated in 110 cases of fulminant, acute or chronic viral hepatitis by examining plasma complement conversion products C3d and C4d and intact C3 and C4 molecules, as well as the local hepatic deposition of C3 IgG globulins in necrotic areas of the liver. The results revealed an excessive activation of plasma C3 in the fluminant hepatitis group. The C3d/C3 ratio was proved to be directly related to the severity of the clinical symptoms. C3 and IgG hepatic depositions in adjacent necrotic areas were found in over 85% of the fulminant hepatitis cases, as compared to 37.5% in cases of chronic active hepatitis. The conclusion was drawn that activation of the complement cascade is responsible for liver tissue damage, while the plasma complement activation represented by increased C3d and C3c fragment production might well reflect hepatic pathology. Therefore, the C3d/C3 ratio could serve as an index to aid clinical management, as well as pointing out a new therapeutic approach.