Bilirubin: The yellow hormone?
Language English Country Netherlands Media print-electronic
Document type Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
PubMed
34153399
DOI
10.1016/j.jhep.2021.06.010
PII: S0168-8278(21)00425-6
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- Keywords
- Bilirubin, Gilbert syndrome, benign hyperbilirubinemia, hormone,
- MeSH
- Color MeSH
- Bilirubin analysis classification MeSH
- Heme metabolism MeSH
- Hyperbilirubinemia classification physiopathology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Bilirubin MeSH
- Heme MeSH
Bilirubin is a tetrapyrrolic compound originating from heme catabolism. Although originally considered only a potentially dangerous waste product, it has become increasingly evident that this molecule represents an important modulator of various biological functions in the human body. Bilirubin appears to have versatile functions, from cell signaling (behaving almost like a "real" hormonal substance), modulation of metabolism, to immune regulation, affecting biological activities with apparent clinical and even therapeutic consequences. These activities may be the reason for the lower incidence of diseases of civilisation (cardiovascular diseases, arterial hypertension, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, certain cancers, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative diseases) observed in individuals with a chronic mild unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, a typical sign of Gilbert's syndrome. While higher serum concentrations of unconjugated bilirubin may serve as an important protective factor against these diseases, low levels of bilirubin are associated with the opposite effect.
References provided by Crossref.org
Risk of childhood cancer in infants treated with phototherapy for neonatal jaundice
A Platform for the Synthesis of Oxidation Products of Bilirubin
The physiology of bilirubin: health and disease equilibrium
Serum Bilirubin Concentrations and the Prevalence of Gilbert Syndrome in Elite Athletes
Cutting edge concepts: Does bilirubin enhance exercise performance?
