Serum Lipoids and Complementary Activity. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Active, dehydrated complement showed no reduction of power when extracted in the cold with absolute alcohol, ether and petroleum ether. It was not possible to remove more than 50% of the total phospholipids of active, dehydrated complement by the methods described. Fresh complement was readily denatured by the solvents employed, namely, absolute alcohol, absolute ether, and petroleum ether. Treatment of active, dehydrated complement with chloroform, benzene and pyridine led to no change in initial titers. No evidence of a 5th component in the sense of Toda and Misuse was found. No relationship was found between the phospholipid contents of the serums of guinea pigs fed a vitamin-C deficient diet and their lowered complementary activities.