C3c intrathecal synthesis evaluation in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory and progressive disease of the central nervous system in which local inflammatory injuries of the brain white matter appears, being the most outstanding feature the myeline loss (demyelination).

Objective: To determine if the complement system might be involved in the MS immunopathogeny favouring the mechanism intervening in the myelin destruction.

Method: Samples of sera and CSF from twelve patients with a diagnosis of MS obtained at the moment of the admission to the hospital at the beginning of the break out, were collected. Levels of C3c and albumin in sera and in CSF were quantified using radial immunodiffusion plates.

Results: High values over 80% of intrathecal synthesis were obtained except in one of the patients.

Conclusion: Intrathecal synthesis of C3c and its liberation to the CSF means that the activation of the complement system in any of the two ways has taken place, and that once performed its biological functions, has suffered a degradation process.