Fig. 4

Haptoglobin level analysis. a Representative western blot of Hpt precursor, beta chain, alpha-2 chain and alpha 1-chain in HC and MR (mild, moderate and severe). b Graphic representation of Hpt precursor levels and statistical significance of comparisons between the four groups. Hpt precursor level was decreased in severe MR compared to HC (p = 0.02) and compared to mild MR (p = 0.009). c Graphic representation of Hpt alpha-2 chain levels and statistical significance of comparisons between groups. Hpt alpha-2 chain level was decreased in severe MR compared to HC (p = 0.004), mild MR (p = 0.002) and moderate MR (p = 0.024). Protein amounts of Hpt precursor and Hpt alpha-2 chain were quantified from western blotting using the Imagequant TL software on all individual samples