Certain complement inhibitors, namely chlorpromazine, suramin, 2-hydroxystilbamidine
and chlorophenothiazine sulphonate were tested for their ability to suppress
complement deposition and vascular injury at the site of an Arthus reaction. Deposition of
complement was suppressed in the order 2-hydroxystilbamidine > suramin > chlorpromazine.
All the above mentioned four compounds strongly protected vascular injury as observed
by electron microscopic studies. At Arthus reaction sites prepared without drug treatment
venules ranged from normal to severely altered and damaged. Discontinuities in endothelial
linings varied from small to longer stretches. In the latter situation remaining endothelial cells
were degenerated and endothelial remnants did not have an intact basal lamina. After treatment
with the above complement inhibitors, at arthus reaction sites some venules appeared
normal, whereas others were altered but in all cases the endothelium and its basal lamina
remained intact.