The significance of serial measurements of serum complement C3 and C4 components and DNA binding capacity in patients with lupus nephritis

E. H. Garin, W. H. Donnelly, S. T. Shulman, R. Fernandez, C. Finton, R. L. Williams, G. A. Richard

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

Eighteen patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and proliferative glomerulonephritis, underwent serial serum determinations of C3, C4, and native DNA binding capacity, as well as repeat renal biopsy 7 to 48 months (median 25 months) following initial biopsy. Highly significant correlations were found between serum C3 levels and renal histologic changes (P<0.0001), and between serum C3 levels and DNA binding capacity (P<0.03). Histologic deterioration correlated with depressed C3 levels, while improvement was associated with normalization of C3 levels. No correlation between renal histologic changes and either serum C4 levels or DNA binding capacity was found. The data suggest that the serum level of C3 is the best index of activity of lupus nephritis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)148-155
Number of pages8
JournalClinical Nephrology
Volume12
Issue number4
StatePublished - 1979

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nephrology

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