Studies on the Formation of Heinz Bodies. I. Methemoglobin Production and Oxyhemoglobin Destruction

A study of the changes in hemoglobin of erythrocytes incubated with various test substances has been reported. The concentrations of oxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin in these erythrocytes were measured and the term "intact" hemoglobin was introduced, in order to distinguish these pigments from later degradation products of hemoglobin. Certain agents which are known to cause Heinz body formation and erythrocyte destruction in vivo have been shown to cause methemoglobin formation and "intact" hemoglobin destruction in vitro, and some of these agents were also shown to produce these changes in vivo. The possible significance of these findings in relation to the role of methemoglobin formation in Heinz body production has been discussed.