Study of complement C3 and C4 and phagocytic function of the neutrophils before and after splenectomy

ABSTRACT

The present study showed significant increases in the total leucocytic and neutrophilic counts and in the calculated absolute number of stimulated NBT positive cells after splenectomy in all studied groups [P <0.05]. By contrast, the serum complement C3c and C4 showed insignificant increases after splenectomy in all trial groups [P >0.05]. Nevertheless, the age was not important factor affecting the changes that have been observed in the present study. It can be concluded that the spleen does not share in the synthesis, consumption or catabolism of C3c and C4. Meanwhile, the phagocytic function of neutrophils will increase after removal of the spleen. This might be a part of the whole increase in the number of while cells and neutrophils or due to post-splenectomy infection or the increase in the function of macrophages mediated by the macrophageactivating factors secreted by T-cells since splenectomy induces and increase in T helper and decrease in T suppressor cells