COMPLEMENT DEPLETION IMPROVES NEUROLOGICAL FUNCTION IN CEREBRAL-ISCHEMIA

The contribution of the complement system to the exacerbation of cereb ral ischemia/reperfusion injury was studied by comparing a group of ra ts with normal complement levels to another group that was complement depleted by cobra venom factor (CVF), The magnitude of reactive hypere mia was significantly greater in the complement depleted animals, Ther e was also better preservation of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSE Ps) in the complement depleted animals, These differences were not ass ociated with changes in leukocyte infiltration as evidenced by myelope roxidase and Leukotriene B-4 activity. These data demonstrate that dep leting the complement system can improve flow and outcome following ce rebral ischemia with reperfusion. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.