Haptoglobin
Immunoturbidimetry assay
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Product description:
The haptoglobin is an ?-glycoprotein, synthesized in the liver, and it is able to bind
irreversibly to haemoglobin. The haptoglobin complexes and also the free haptoglobin play an
important role in the iron conservation and in the prevention of possible renal damages produced
by haemoglobin excretion. Haptoglobin concentration, as an acute phase protein increases as a
result of inflammation, tissue necrosis or neoplasia. Levels of haptoglobin are decreased in
plasma as a consequence of in vivo haemolysis, presence of oestrogens in the pregnancy, the
contraceptive therapy as well as many acute or chronic liver diseases including the acute viral
hepatitis.
The haptoglobin assay is mainly used detect and evaluate haemolytic anaemia as well as to
distinguish it from other causes of anaemia. It is considered to be a very sensitive indicator
of intravascular haemolysis because under normal circumstances 1% of RBC are destroyed. An
increase of more than 2% of destruction will reduce the haptoglobin level to less than 50% of
normal. The haptoglobin assay is also useful in monitoring the course of haemolytic anaemia and
the effectiveness of therapy. The haptoglobin assay may be used as an aid in the diagnosis of
liver disease, but it is not a specific indicator of liver dysfunction.
