[Pathological effects of recently isolated complement derived peptides]

The C3a and C5a polypeptides release, under conditions of complement activation, causes a change in PMN shape and adhesiveness with formation of leukoemboli in microvascular districts. Those modified granulocytes produce oxygen radicals with toxic activity. This mechanism seems to play a role in different pathological situations like pulmonary distress in hemodialysis, leukapheresis, cardiopulmonary by-pass and extent of necrosis in acute myocardial infarction. The same mechanism has been largely investigated in Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (A.R.D.S.). In this condition the leukoembolization toxicity seems to be the most important pathogenetic factor of the alveolo-capillary membrane damage which is the base of the disease.