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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
Measuring the 50% Haemolytic Complement (CH50) Activity of Serum
Published on: March 29, 2010
Insights
Serum complement levels (CH50, C3, C4) differ across chronic liver diseases. Primary biliary cirrhosis shows elevated CH50 and C3, unlike other conditions, suggesting distinct immune profiles in liver disease patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hepatology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Chronic liver diseases involve immune dysregulation.
- Complement system components (C3, C4) and activity (CH50) are crucial in immunity.
- Distinct patterns of complement alteration may differentiate liver disease subtypes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum complement activity (CH50) and component levels (C3, C4) in patients with chronic liver disease.
- To compare complement profiles across different chronic liver diseases, including primary biliary cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis, and cryptogenic cirrhosis.
- To explore the relationship between complement changes and cholestasis in liver disease.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of total serum haemolytic complement activity (CH50).
- Quantification of serum concentrations of complement components C3 and C4.
- Comparative analysis of complement parameters in control subjects, chronic liver disease patients, and patients with biliary tract obstruction.
Main Results:
- Reduced mean C4 concentration observed in all studied chronic liver diseases.
- Elevated CH50 and C3 in compensated primary biliary cirrhosis, potentially linked to cholestasis.
- Decreased CH50 and C3 in cryptogenic cirrhosis, especially with ascites; normal levels in non-cirrhotic chronic active hepatitis.
- Significant correlation found between CH50 and C3 in chronic liver disease patients.
Conclusions:
- Distinct serum complement profiles characterize different chronic liver diseases, despite their association with immune disturbances.
- Elevated CH50 and C3 in primary biliary cirrhosis may be partly attributed to concurrent cholestasis.
- Complement analysis provides a means to differentiate between primary biliary cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis, and cryptogenic cirrhosis.
Abstract:
Total serum haemolytic complement activity (CH(50)) and the serum concentrations of both the third and fourth components of the complement system (C3 and C4) have been measured in 29 control subjects, 92 patients with chronic hepatocellular disease, and eight patients with large duct biliary tract obstruction. The mean C4 concentration was reduced in all types of chronic liver disease studied. However, the mean CH(50) and C3 values were increased in compensated primary biliary cirrhosis, were relatively normal in non-cirrhotic chronic active hepatitis, and were decreased in cryptogenic cirrhosis, particularly when ascites was present. There was a significant correlation between CH(50) and C3 in patients with chronic liver disease but no correlation between CH(50) and C4 or between C3 and C4. Raised values for CH(50) and C3 in primary biliary cirrhosis may be due at least in part to concomitant cholestasis since these values tend to be raised in patients with large duct biliary tract obstruction. Although primary biliary cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis, and cryptogenic cirrhosis are considered to be part of a spectrum of chronic liver disease associated with disturbed immunity, the results of this study emphasize that there are clearly definable differences between these diseases in terms of the pattern of changes in serum complement.
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