Plasma fibronectin and complement following infusion of colloidal solutions after spinal anaesthesia

A randomized study of 30 patients undergoing uncomplicated surgery under spinal anesthesia was conducted to assess the influence of colloids on the kinetics of plasma fibronectin and complement. Both are opsonins of the reticuloendothelial system; moreover fibronectin is concerned with host resistance against septic complications following trauma and surgery. The patients were assigned to receive either Ringer's lactate (Group 1), gelatin (Group 2) or dextran 40 (Group 3). Blood samples were withdrawn before colloids or Ringer's infusion and during the 4 postoperative days. There was a reduction in plasma fibronectin throughout the study in groups 1 and 3, but an increase in group 2 by 24 h. The adhesion of plasma fibronectin to gelatin was maximal 1 h after infusion (44%) and remained significant up to day 2 in group 2. There was no relationship in groups 1 and 3. C3 and C4 components of complement exhibited a low value in the early post-operative period, due to hemodilution. This study shows an in vivo fibronectin-gelatin interaction, and suggests that gelatin infusion inhibits the increased shift of plasma fibronectin at the site of tissue injury after surgery.