[Haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin in systemic scleroderma]

Content of haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin was estimated in blood serum of 23 patients with sclerodermia systematica. A statistically distinct decrease in ceruloplasmin concentration was observed in blood of the patients, whereas content of haptoglobin was markedly increased; this phenomenon reflects a level of the pathological process activity. The proteins are synthesized in various zones of liver lobes: haptoglobin--in the central zone, ceruloplasmin - in the peripheral one. Decrease in content of ceruloplasmin in blood of patients with sclerodermia systematica was due to impairment of hepatocytes, localized in peripheral parts of liver lobes.