title: Serum immunoglobulin and complement alterations in interstitial cystitis.
abstract: Sera from 41 patients with interstitial cystitis were tested for immunoglobulins (IgA, G, M), complement components (C1q, C3, C4) and for C1-esterase inhibitor. There was a statistically highly significant depletion of the serum levels of complement component C4 (p less than 0.001) and immunoglobulin G was markedly elevated (p less than 0.001). Our results suggest the classical pathway activation of the complement system and support the possibility that a chronic local immunological process is involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.
mesh_terms: D003166:Complement Activating Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D015922:Complement C1q; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000172:deficiency; D003171:Complement Pathway, Classical; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003556:Cystitis / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D003181:Complement C4; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D015922:Complement C1q; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D003166:Complement Activating Enzymes