PARALLEL STUDIES OF COMPLEMENT AND COAGULATION III. THE EFFECT OF THE PROTEIN LEVEL OF THE DIET

Abstract

The complement and coagulative activities of the blood were studied in three groups of 20 guinea pigs each, receiving diets containing different amounts of protein, 2.3 to 26.7%. The mean complement titers were found to be lower and the prothrombin times longer in the group fed the diet containing the least protein, 2.3%. Of the four major complement components,,the fourth, C'4, appeared to be most affected. Sera of the animals receiving less protein were lower in total protein content and had lower albumin - globulin ratios than sera from guinea pigs on the higher protein diets. No relationship was demonstrated between coagulation time and serum protein content.