The third component of the complement (C3) is a marker of the risk of atherogenesis.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the association between the third component of the complement (C3) and other risk factors of coronary heart disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated 1200 individuals aged 25-74 years (600 men and 600 women). A strong relationship was shown between serum C3 and both body mass index (BMI, P<0.01) and fibrinogen (P<0.01). We found a significant, independent correlation with: platelet count (P<0.01), insulin level (P<0.01), triglycerides (P<0.01), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P<0.01), and an inverse correlation with cigarette smoking (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A high concentration of C3 is a marker of a profile at risk of atherogenesis.