title: Generation of the membrane attack complex during haemodialysis: impact of classical and alternative pathway components.
abstract: 1. The generation of the plasma SC5b-9 complex (the soluble form of the membrane attack complex) during haemodialysis was studied in 29 patients together with markers of the classical (C4d fragment) and alternative (Bb fragment) pathways and the common iC3b fragment. 2. In the patients dialysed with Hemophan and Cuprophan membranes, a rapid increase in the plasma levels of SC5b-9 complex, Bb fragment and iC3b fragment occurred within 15 min of the initiation of the haemodialysis procedure. The SC5b-9 complex and the Bb fragment concentrations remained at a plateau until 120 min thereafter. The iC3b fragment level showed a continual decline. 3. The C4d fragment concentrations remained unchanged, indicating that generation of the membrane attack complex is most likely due only to activation of the alternative pathway. 4. The generation of the membrane attack complex occurred throughout the full haemodialysis period. In patients treated with Polysulfon membranes no statistically significant variation in these components was noted. 5. The study shows that the membrane attack complex may be generated during the full period of the haemodialysis session and is a stable index of biocompatibility. 6. Moreover, it seems be involved directly in haemodialysis-associated phenomena.
authors.affiliation: 1st Medical Clinic, University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Hauser
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Derfler
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stockenhuber
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Janata
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Balcke
mesh_terms: D003167:Complement Activation / Q000502:physiology*; D051561:Complement C3 Convertase, Alternative Pathway; D015926:Complement C3a / Q000502:physiology; D003179:Complement C3b / Q000502:physiology; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000502:physiology; D015935:Complement C4b; D015938:Complement Membrane Attack Complex / Q000502:physiology*; D003170:Complement Pathway, Alternative / Q000502:physiology; D003171:Complement Pathway, Classical / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000502:physiology; D006435:Renal Dialysis
chemical_list: D003181:Complement C4; D015938:Complement Membrane Attack Complex; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C044541:complement C3a, des-Arg-(77)-; D015926:Complement C3a; D003179:Complement C3b; D015935:Complement C4b; C032261:complement C4d; D051561:Complement C3 Convertase, Alternative Pathway