Serum profiles of the regulatory complement proteins during the progression of renal damage in human glomerulonephritis.

Persistent activation of the complement system after escape from control by the regulatory proteins results in an excessive release of split products with inflammatory properties. Serum levels of the regulatory proteins of the complement system (Cl-INH, H, I and AT III) were assayed by the radial immunodiffusion technique in 521 serum samples from 124 patients with idiopathic chronic glomerulonephritis divided into two groups: 81 cases with normal renal function (NRF), and 43 cases with deteriorated renal function (DRF). Significant high mean levels of Cl-INH, H, I and AT III were found in patients with NRF, when they were compared with DRF patient groups. Positive correlations between the regulatory proteins and the corresponding complement components were found in patients with NRF, whereas they were reduced considerably in patients with DRF. Serial measurement of the control proteins showed a decay of the levels of Cl-INH, H and I in patients with progressive impairment of renal function. The presence of high levels of regulatory proteins suggest that a control mechanism may occur in patients with NRF; measurement of these proteins could, therefore, be of prognostic value, as the presence of high levels are indicative of a block of the complement system.