| Abstract: | Serum complement levels were studied in 53 patients with various liver diseases. The total serum complement level (CH50) was raised in 28, normal in 12 and low in 13 patients. Levels of C4, C2 and C3 in general parallelled total complement levels. Significant correlations were noted between the levels of C4 and C3 and those of certain coagulation factors, and between the levels of C2 and fibrinogen. The data obtained suggested that, in the majority of cases, lowering of serum complement levels was related to defective hepatic synthesis, providing further support for the role of the liver in the synthesis of some complement components. |
