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Hemoglobin consists of four globin chains linked by 4 hem molecules. Differences between hemoglobin species are due to dissimilarity of amino acid sequence in globin chains accounting for different solubility, affinity to oxygen, and interaction with nitrogen. The hem component is the same in all hemoglobins. Anomalous activity of hem-synthesizing enzymes leads to porphyria. The number of molecular defects associated with porphyria has recently increased which necessitated improvement of diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Factors promoting hemoglobin synthesis in patients with hemoglobinopathies may be used to alleviate symptoms of the disease. Measurement of hemoglobin in premature newborns helps to estimate their oxygen status and minimize the risk of toxic oxygen action. Porphyrias and hemoglobinopathies must be end-points of differential diagnosis. Modern techniques allow for earlier diagnosis of disturbed hemoglobin synthesis and improvement of relevant therapeutic strategies.

Aim: To study the specific features of porphyrin metabolic disturbances in cadmium poisoning., Material and Methods: The paper describes a patient who has developed clinical and biochemical syndromes of acute porphyrinopathy after exposure to cadmium-containing paint the vapors. The levels of delta-aminolevulinic acid, porphobilinogen, coproporphyrin, and uroporphyrin in urine and those of coproporphyrin and protoporphyrin in feces were measured. The concentrations of lead, cadmium, and copper were determined in whole blood and urine; selective screening of amino acids for hereditary metabolic diseases was made., Results: The clinical signs of acute porphyrinopathy developed in the patient mimicked those of acute porphyries known by the current classification. The biochemical syndrome more corresponded to lead poisoning. However, the blood and urinary lead levels were not greater than the normal values, but the blood showed a 4-fold increase in cadmium, which seemed to induce porphyrin dysmetabolism.

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a hereditary disease caused by disordered haem biosynthesis and characterized by paroxysmal exacerbations. It usually manifests in adult women. Provoking factors are pregnancy, alcohol, and "porphyrogenic" drugs. Grave attacks of AIP require urgent hospitalization in intensive care wards, rapid purposeful diagnosis and adequate therapy, determining the prognosis. The number of drugs should be minimized and drugs with a known porphyrogenic effect absolutely ruled out. A 35-year-old patient with the first episode of AIP is described; the disease eventuated in death after 2 months.

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a hereditary disease caused by disordered haem biosynthesis and characterized by paroxysmal exacerbations. It usually manifests in adult women. Provoking factors are pregnancy, alcohol, and "porphyrogenic" drugs. Grave attacks of AIP require urgent hospitalization in intensive care wards, rapid purposeful diagnosis and adequate therapy, determining the prognosis. The number of drugs should be minimized and drugs with a known porphyrogenic effect absolutely ruled out. A 35-year-old patient with the first episode of AIP is described; the disease eventuated in death after 2 months.

Four patients with acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) were treated and followed-up. It was established that in AIP urinary pigments have specific absorption spectra in the visible light range. Clinical manifestation and the severity of the disease course correlated with the amount of excretion of copro- and uroporphyrin and their characteristic spectrum of light absorption. It is concluded that of significance in the AIP pathogenesis is the level of formation of copro- and uroporphyrin isomers which may directly effect the nervous tissue and clinical manifestations of AIP. It is recommended to use plasmapheresis in biohemosorption by means of extracorporeal donor spleen.