Parallel studies of complement and coagulation. IV. Effect of carbon tetrachloride.

Abstract

To determine whether liver injury would result in a parallel decline in the complement titer and coagulative properties of the blood, groups of guinea pigs were given series of injections of the liver poison, carbon tetrachloride. Marked fatty degeneration of the liver, a decline in total serum protein and albumin, a decrease in complement activity, and a prolongation of coagulation time was observed in the treated animals. A general relationship was noted between the albumin-globulin ratio and the complement titer of the serum and between the complement titer and the coagulation time of the plasma.