Hemoglobin-degrading enzymes in experimental subcutaneous hematomas.

The activities of heme oxygenase and biliverdin reductase were determined in subcutaneous (s.c.) hematomas of rats after different periods of vital time. The postmortem stabilities of the heme-degrading enzymes were also studied by keeping the rats with vital hematomas for 1-5 days at temperatures of +4 degrees C and +22 degrees C. A tenfold increase of heme oxygenase activity over the starting level was observed in 2-9-day-old vital hematomas, when the specimens were taken immediately after death. Biliverdin reductase showed only negligible changes. Postmortally, heme oxygenase activity started to decrease in hematomas immediately at +22 degrees C and from day 2 on at +4 degrees C.