Abstract
The activation of complement components in the complement cascade plays an important role in the pathophysiology in anaphylactic shock, serious infection and massive tissue damage. Two anaphylatoxins are derived from complement 3 and 5 of the cascade and are called C3a and C5a, respectively.
In the present investigation we measured plasma C3a and C5a in rabbits with aspiration pneumonia or air embolism by the radioimmunoassay method.
1) Plasma complement C3a and C5a levels reached to the maximum 7 minutes after the aspiration pneumonia induced by pH 2 HCl instillation and returned to the control level 30 minutes after in rabbits.
2) Plasma complement C3a level reached to the maximum 7 minutes after the air embolism and stayed in higher level for 60 minutes, however plasma complement C5a level reached to the maximum 5 minutes after the procedure and returned to the control level in rabbits.
3) In these two experimental models of ARDS, aspiration pneumonia and air embolism, plasma complement C3a and C5a levels showed a significant increase and reached to the maximum 5 to 7 minutes after the procedures.
