Complement depletion improves neurological function in cerebral ischemia.

The contribution of the complement system to the exacerbation of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury was studied by comparing a group of rats with normal complement levels to another group that was complement depleted by cobra venom factor (CVF). The magnitude of reactive hyperemia was significantly greater in the complement depleted animals. There was also better preservation of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) in the complement depleted animals. These differences were not associated with changes in leukocyte infiltration as evidenced by myeloperoxidase and Leukotriene B4 activity. These data demonstrate that depleting the complement system can improve flow and outcome following cerebral ischemia with reperfusion.