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Journal of Nutrition Vol. 110 No. 11 November 1980, pp. 2159-2165
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Protein Malnutrition and Complement Activity in Guinea Pigs, Germ-Free and Conventional Rats1

Bruce H. Petersen2, Ronald D. Watson3 and Donald H. Holmes

Lilly Laboratory for Clinical Research and Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202

Malnutrition produces a pronounced effect on the complement system of man and animals. There is little information, however, to indicate whether individual complement components are affected at different stages of age. In the following studies, we have demonstrated that in guinea pigs and in both conventional and germ-free rats, protein malnutrition adversely affects the complement system. The levels of complement components C2 and C3 are suppressed by protein malnutrition at an early stage while C4 and C8 are less affected by malnutrition. Experiments in germ-free animals demonstrated that decreased complement component levels can be directly associated with decreased synthesis and/or secretion of components. In conventional animls, further reductions in complement levels could occur as a result of infection associated with malnutrition.

KEY WORDS: • protein malnutrition • complement • rats • guinea pigs

1 Supported in part by the Nutrition Foundation, Wallace Genetic Foundation and The National Livestock and Meat Board.

2 To whom reprint requests should be addressed at: Lilly Laboratory for Clinical Research, Wishard Memorial Hospital, 1001 W. 10th St., Indianapolis, IN 46202.

3 Department of Food and Nutrition, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907.

Manuscript received 18 February 1980.




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