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Bilirubin acts as a multipotent guardian of cardiovascular integrity: more than just a radical idea

Authors :
John P. Headrick
Lawrie W. Powell
Karl-Heinz Wagner
Eugene F. Du Toit
Paul J. Clark
Ai-Ching Boon
Andrew C. Bulmer
Bhavisha A. Bakrania
Source :
American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology. 315(3)
Publication Year :
2018

Abstract

Bilirubin, a potentially toxic catabolite of heme and indicator of hepatobiliary insufficiency, exhibits potent cardiac and vascular protective properties. Individuals with Gilbert’s syndrome (GS) may experience hyperbilirubinemia in response to stressors including reduced hepatic bilirubin excretion/increased red blood cell breakdown, with individuals usually informed by their clinician that their condition is of little consequence. However, GS appears to protect from all-cause mortality, with progressively elevated total bilirubin associated with protection from ischemic heart and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Bilirubin may protect against these diseases and associated mortality by reducing circulating cholesterol, oxidative lipid/protein modifications, and blood pressure. In addition, bilirubin inhibits platelet activation and protects the heart from ischemia-reperfusion injury. These effects attenuate multiple stages of the atherosclerotic process in addition to protecting the heart during resultant ischemic stress, likely underpinning the profound reduction in cardiovascular mortality in hyperbilirubinemic GS. This review outlines our current knowledge of and uses for bilirubin in clinical medicine and summarizes recent progress in revealing the physiological importance of this poorly understood molecule. We believe that this review will be of significant interest to clinicians, medical researchers, and individuals who have GS.

Details

ISSN :
15221539
Volume :
315
Issue :
3
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....e814e3c13cc211241eb93affb392cc46