Hematin
Hematin
Hematin (pronounced: heh-muh-tin) is a dark brown or black crystalline compound derived from hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying pigment in red blood cells.
Etymology
The term "hematin" is derived from the Greek word "haima" meaning "blood" and the suffix "-in" which is used in biochemistry to denote a protein.
Definition
Hematin is a derivative of heme, a component of hemoglobin, and is formed by the removal of the iron atom from heme. It is a dark brown or black crystalline compound that is insoluble in water, but soluble in alkaline solutions. Hematin is used in medical research and has been used in the treatment of porphyria, a group of rare genetic disorders that affect the nervous system and skin.
Related Terms
- Heme: A component of hemoglobin, from which hematin is derived.
- Hemoglobin: The oxygen-carrying pigment in red blood cells.
- Porphyria: A group of rare genetic disorders that affect the nervous system and skin, and can be treated with hematin.
See Also
- Hematology: The branch of medicine concerned with the study of blood, blood-forming organs, and blood diseases.
- Hemochromatosis: A hereditary disease characterized by improper processing by the body of dietary iron which can lead to iron overload.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hematin
- Wikipedia's article - Hematin
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