Haptoglobin from Human and anti-human hosts Available from Lee Biosolutions

October 27, 2006; ST. LOUIS – Polyclonal anti-human haptoglobin and human haptoglobin antigen are now available for purchase to clinical researchers through worldwide biomaterials provider Lee Biosolutions.

Lee Biosolutions’ polyclonal anti-human haptoglobin is available from a variety of mammal hosts, including bovine, rat, canine, goat and rabbit, to serve researchers conducting comparative studies or needing a product from a specific host.

“Haptoglobin has been a popular subject of clinical research for decades,” Lee Biosolutions President Burton Lee said. “We’re a preferred source for the protein because we’re known for consistent purity, quality and selection. Our goal is to anticipate tomorrow’s research trends now, so we constantly have the latest materials available on demand.”

Haptoglobin is a protein produced primarily by hepatocytes. It is secreted into the bloodstream where it finds and attaches itself to hemoglobin released from red blood cells. Once haptoglobin attaches to hemoglobin, the resulting compound goes to the liver where its components (iron, heme, and amino acids) are recycled. This process destroys the haptoglobin.

The concentration of free hemoglobin in the blood stream is typically very low. But when the body detects that red blood cells are being destroyed, the level of hemoglobin in the bloodstream rises. When red blood cells are actively being destroyed, the rate of haptoglobin destruction by the liver will outpace the rate of production, causing a drop in haptoglobin levels in the blood.

A decrease in haptoglobin levels due to the destruction of red blood cells is a sign of hemolytic anemia.

Lee Biosolutions is a leader in the biomaterials industry, providing the quality biomaterial products to clinical labs and researchers around the world, developing tomorrow’s cures. The company has provided the materials used in a number of high profile biomarker studies. For more information or to place an order, contact Lee Biosolutions at 314-968-1091, or visit the company’s newly redesigned website, www.leebio.com.