Complement activation by homogenized muscle tissue

Abstract The effect of infusion of homogenized autologous muscle tissue was studied in dogs. An aggregation of platelets in blood and trapping in the lung was observed. The infusion was first followed by leukopenia but later by leukocytosis. Hemolysis of red cells corresponding to about 5‰ of the erythrocytes was observed. A blood pressure decrease and a tracheal insufflation pressure increase followed the infusion. Impaired oxygenation of arterial blood was registered. The infusion initiated complement activation. Its relation to the phenomena studied is discussed.