Hematin

Hematin is a dark bluish or brownish pigment containing iron and produced by the breakdown of hemoglobin. It is a form of heme, a component of hemoglobin, which is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Hematin is used in the treatment of porphyria, a group of rare genetic disorders that affect the nervous system and skin.

Chemical Structure

Hematin is a coordination complex of iron and protoporphyrin IX. It has a molecular formula of C34H32N4O4Fe and a molecular weight of 651.441 g/mol. The iron atom in hematin is in the Fe(III) state and is coordinated to the four nitrogen atoms of the porphyrin ring. The fifth and sixth coordination sites of the iron atom are occupied by a hydroxide ion and a chloride ion, respectively.

Medical Uses

Hematin is used in the treatment of acute attacks of certain types of porphyria. These include acute intermittent porphyria, variegate porphyria, and hereditary coproporphyria. Hematin works by inhibiting the enzyme ALA synthase, which is involved in the synthesis of heme. This reduces the accumulation of porphyrins and porphyrin precursors that cause the symptoms of porphyria.

Side Effects

Common side effects of hematin include headache, fever, and infusion site reactions. Serious side effects may include anaphylactic reactions, coagulation abnormalities, and renal toxicity. Hematin should be used with caution in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug or any of its components.

See Also

• Heme
• Porphyria
• ALA synthase

Hematin Resources
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