title: Haem derivatives in the cerebrospinal fluid after intracranial haemorrhage.
abstract: During the first 5 days after an intracranial haemorrhage, the red blood cells slowly haemolyse. Most of the oxyhaemoglobin, released in the cerebrospinal fluid, is transformed into bilirubin by an enzyme-dependent process. After 5 days, the haemolysis increases without a corresponding enhancement in the formation of bilirubin. Consequently, the oxyhaemoglobin concentration also increases. A spontaneous oxidation of the haem group follows and after about 10 days the proportions of oxy- and methaemoglobin are about the same. This process occurs independently of the cause of the haemorrhage.
mesh_terms: D001663:Bilirubin / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D006418:Heme / Q000378:metabolism*; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D008706:Methemoglobin / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D010108:Oxyhemoglobins / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins; D010108:Oxyhemoglobins; D006418:Heme; D008706:Methemoglobin; D001663:Bilirubin