A group of compounds containing the porphin structure, four pyrrole rings connected by methine bridges in a cyclic configuration to which a variety of side chains are attached. The nature of the side chain is indicated by a prefix, as uroporphyrin, hematoporphyrin, etc. The porphyrins, in combination with iron, form the heme component in biologically significant compounds such as hemoglobin and myoglobin.
    

concept

Thyroid nodule smear showing hematoidin crystals

Clinical disorders of porphyrin metabolism. Part 2.

Heme and chlorophyll : chemical, biochemical and medical aspects / Gerald S. Marks.

Pharmacology of the porphyrins and porphobilinogen / by A. Goldberg, W.D.M. Paton, and J.W. Thompson.

Porphyrines et prophyries : biochimie et clinique / Alfred Gajdos et Marianne Gajdos-Török.

Porphyrine und Porphyrinkrankheiten / von A. Vannotti.

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Clinical disorders of porphyrin metabolism. Part 2.

Heme and chlorophyll : chemical, biochemical and medical aspects / Gerald S. Marks.

Pharmacology of the porphyrins and porphobilinogen / by A. Goldberg, W.D.M. Paton, and J.W. Thompson.

Porphyrines et prophyries : biochimie et clinique / Alfred Gajdos et Marianne Gajdos-Török.

Porphyrine und Porphyrinkrankheiten / von A. Vannotti.