Haemozoin

Haemozoin is an iron-containing pigment that is of particular importance to the parasites that cause malaria. Plasmodium species, which cause malaria, use hemoglobin, the main component of red blood cells, as a source of nutrition. When parasites feed on hemoglobin, they secrete hemozoin in the form of crystals inside their cells.

Hemozoin serves as a key element in the defense mechanism of parasites against the human immune system. Due to its crystalline structure, hemozoin does not have a toxic effect on the parasite, while it is a dangerous substance for the human body.

As malaria progresses, hemozoin accumulates in a person's blood, causing symptoms of the disease such as fever, chills, headache and muscle weakness. In addition, hemozoin can cause various complications, including blood vessel damage, organ dysfunction, and even death.

Despite its danger, hemozoin is attracting the attention of researchers as a potential target for the development of new drugs against malaria. Some studies have shown that inhibition of hemozoin formation may lead to reduced parasite toxicity and improved treatment efficacy for malaria.

In conclusion, hemozoin is an important element in the defense mechanism of malaria parasites against the human immune system. However, the accumulation of hemozoin in human blood is one of the main causes of complications of malaria. Research aimed at finding new methods to combat hemozoin may lead to the development of more effective drugs to treat this dangerous disease.

Haemozoin is an iron-containing pigment present in the parasites that cause malaria in humans (Plasmodium species).

Hemozoin is formed during the breakdown of hemoglobin, which enters the parasite along with human red blood cells. The parasite absorbs hemoglobin and uses the iron it contains for its growth and reproduction. The heme residue, which does not contain iron, polymerizes to form insoluble dark brown hemozoin crystals.

The accumulation of hemozoin in the cytoplasm of parasites is a characteristic sign of malaria infection. The amount of hemozoin correlates with the severity of the disease. Studying the mechanisms of hemozoin formation and detoxification in parasites helps in the development of new methods to combat malaria.

Hemozysin - what is it?

The answer to this question may sound complicated and incomprehensible to an ordinary person. This is due to complex terminology and the fact that the problem associated with this substance concerns medicine. Doctors call hemoglobin the color of blood. Hemoglobin is a protein that contains iron molecules that are red in color. Its mass fraction is 94%, while the main tissue substance is red bone marrow, kidneys and other organs. When hemoglobin interacts with oxygen, it transports it throughout the body, and all tissue cells receive oxygen. Next, we will look at a substance that does not tolerate oxygen, as well as the reasons why such a problem may arise. Hemoglobin is a two-component blood protein that absorbs oxygen and produced carbon dioxide. Therefore, the body's cells receive important substances. Hemoglobin molecules contain a lot of iron. Only certain tissues are able to produce iron, such as the intestines. Some B vitamins are also produced by iron. This negatively affects human health. Due to iron deficiency, the accumulation of heme pigment, necessary for the formation of hemoglobin, occurs. Another reason for the deficiency is the formation of its low form, globin, or otherwise protein pigment, instead of hemoglobin. This substance is often formed in the presence of tumors and sepsis. The pigment can be deposited inside the vessels and enter the lumen only during the breakdown of cells containing hemoglobin. Then the hemoglobin particles leave the hemoglobin compounds and capture a molecule of oxygen and carbon dioxide. They can form a new blood substance - hemoglobins. A deficiency of nutrients in the body is why the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood decreases and hemoglobinopathy is formed. If there is an excess amount of iron together with other metals, then hemoglobin can form hemosiderin, which has a red-brown tint. Thus, there is an excess of iron inside the body and a supersaturation of hemoglobin in its composition. Such a compound is toxic if a large amount of the compound gets into the blood. In the early stages, the deficiency and toxic disorder manifests itself in a deterioration in the delivery of oxygen to the cells of the body’s tissues and their structural and metabolic functions. Most often, excess or deficiency of iron is genetic or acquired. The danger of such a condition should be taken into account, since with severe anemia hypoxia and failure of important body functions can occur.