Table 1 Parameters of complement system in elite athletes

M/F (n)

77/57

80/30

Age (years)

23.2 ± 5

40 ± 11

 < 0.05

C3

(mg/dL, normal range: 0.9–1.8)

0.96 ± 0.1

1.08 ± 0.2

 < 0.001

C3 deficiency

(%)

31.3

14.5

 < 0.005

C4

(mg/dL, normal range: 0.1–0.4)

0.18 ± 0.1

0.25 ± 0.1

 < 0.001

C4 deficiency

(%)

6.0

0

 < 0.05

MBL

(μg/L, normal range: 103–3308)

1141 ± 820

792 ± 590

 < 0.001

Classical pathway activation

(%, normal range: 66–100)

82.2 ± 15

93.9 ± 10

 < 0.001

Classical pathway deficiency

(%)

14.4

2.8

 < 0.05

Alternative pathway activation (%, normal range: 25–100)

68.3 ± 20

78.1 ± 14

 < 0.001

Alternative pathway deficiency (%)

4.8

0

 < 0.05

Lectin pathway activation

(%, normal range: 10–100)

44.3 ± 39

33.4 ± 34

NS

Lectin pathway deficiency

(%)

27.9

34.9

NS