Abstract
Summary
Immuno- and paper strip electrophoresis of serum proteins were performed on 6 patients with “lupoid” hepatitis and compared with the findings in 13 patients with Laennec's cirrhosis. The following changes were observed in “lupoid” hepatitis: There was a decrease in albumin, alphas haptoglobin, alpha2-beta1 lipoproteins and beta1 A globulin and an elevation in alpha2 M, beta2 A, beta2 M and gamma globulins. Immunoelectrophoresis in Laennec's cirrhosis revealed only an increase in beta2 A, beta2 M and gamma globulins. Paper strip electrophoresis revealed in both diseases a decrease in the albumin fraction and an increase in gamma globulins. The significance of these alterations in the serum proteins is discussed. The beta1 A globulin has been identified with one of the components of the complement and is diminished both in SLE and in “lupoid” hepatitis. This suggests that a similar immunologic process is operating in both diseases.
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