The general and local response to injury related to complement activation

Injury can activate the complement system as well in vivo as in vitro. This activation might contribute to some of the phenomena seen after large injuries. Such general effects as fall in blood pressure, impaired ability to oxygenate blood and local effects such as accumulation of granulocytes and oedema formation might be influenced by complement activity. The in vitro experiments indicated an alternative pathway activation of whole complement by injured tissue or endotoxin.