Complement malnutrition

There are also immunodeficiency states that are primary and can be caused by phagocytic cell defects, deficiencies in the complement system, B- and T-cell deficiency, and other causes. Secondary immunodeficiency disorders can result from malnutrition, cytotoxic drugs, infections with pyrogenic bacteria, and infections with an RNA retrovirus, as in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). 

In malnutrition, total serum protein, albumin, and p-glob-uhn concentrations are reduced. The increased concentration of Y-globuIin does not fully compensate for the decrease in other proteins. The concentrations of complement C3, retinol-binding globulin, transferrin, and prealbumin decrease rapidly with the onset of malnutrition and are measured to define the severity of the condition. The plasma concentrations of lipoproteins are reduced, and serum cholesterol and triglycerides may be only 50% of the concentrations in healthy individuals. In spite of severe malnutrition, glucose concentration is maintained close to that in healthy... 

Think of nutrients as fuel for your car. Fuel is used as you drive your car. The same is true about your body. Your body uses nutrients to go about daily activities. And just like your car, your body can continue to operate without a full complement of nutrients— that is, without a full tank of gas. A healthy, well-nourished person has a nutritional level to last 14 days before they begin to show signs of malnutrition. That is, your full tank of gas will last 14 days. 

HOST DEFENSE MECHANISMS IN PROTEIN ENERGY MALNUTRITION TABLE III Major Known Effects of Complement in Host Defense Complement Component Role in Host Defense ... 

Opsonic activity for E. coll strains opsonized via either pathway of complement activity was also moderately decreased. Considering the fact that hemolytic complement activity and opsonin levels to these organisms are equal to values found in control patients when acute PEM patients are fully rehabilitated, it must be concluded that baseline complement levels and function are depressed in mild-moderate malnutrition. However, when the presence of recent inflammatory processes was screened by elevation of C-reactive... 

This review has focused on effects of protein energy malnutrition on immune responses in the human host. These studies document major impairment of the T-cell and complement systems in severe PEM, and less profound, but probably significant, effects upon B-cells and immunoglobulins, particularly SIgA. While mild-moderate malnutrition also alters the T-cell system and may predispose to... 

Chandra, R, K, (1975a) Serum complement and immunoconglutinin in malnutrition. Arch. Dis. Child 50 225. 

Haller, L., Zubler, R. H, and Lambert, P. H. (1978) Plasma levels of complement components and complement haemolytic activity in protein - energy malnutrition. Clin. Exp. Immunol. 

Neximann, C. G., Stiehm, E. R., and Swendseid, M. (1977) Complement levels in Ghanian children with protein - calorie malnutrition. "Malnutrition and the Immune Response" R. M,... 

R. E. (1973) Complement and C3 proactivator levels in protein-calorie malnutrition. Lancet 1 1016. 

Suskind, R. M., Edelman, R., Kulapongs, P., Pariyananda, A., and Sirisinha, S. (1976a) Complement activity in children with protein-calorie malnutrition. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 29 1089. 

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