Abstract: Objective To investigate the distributions of haptoglobin (Hp) phenotypes and their clinical significance in five skin diseases. Methods Haptoglobin phenotypes were determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in a discontinuous buffer system, and then confirmed by staining with silver nitrate. Results The distribution of Hp1-1, Hp2-1, Hp 2-2 of Han ethnic group was 9.9 percent, 46.9 percent, 43.2 percent, respectively. Compared with normal controls, the frequency of Hp2-2 in SLE group (59.3%) was markedly high, especially in those with kidney damage, that of Hp2-1 in psoriasis(30.9%) was low, and that of Hp1-1 in eczema was high, especially in those without exudation (27.4%). There was no statistical significance for the distributions of Hp phenotypes in secondary syphilis and condyloma acuminatum. Conclusion Hp phenotypes might be associated with the pathogensis and some clinical manifestations in SLE, psoriasis of eczema.

Key words: Haptoglobins, Phenotype, Skin diseases