Observational epidemiological studies showed that mild hyperbilirubinemia has beneficial effects on the prevention of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome. In mammals, bilirubin plays a major role as a potent antioxidant. Uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT)1A1 variants coding for bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyl transferase resulting in mild hyperbilirubinemia (as in Gilbert syndrome (GS)) may confer a strong genetic advantage. Strategies to boost bioavailability of bilirubin or to mimic GS represent an attractive approach to prevent many oxidative stress and inflammation-mediated diseases. Even a tiny, micromolar increase in serum bilirubin concentrations substantially decreases the risk of oxidative stress-mediated diseases. There are several possible ways to achieve this, including lifestyle changes, changes in dietary patterns, regular physical activities, or use of chemical drug or of specific plant products either in the form of regular food items or nutraceuticals. Further basic and experimental research is required to fully uncover this promising therapeutic field.
- MeSH
- Bilirubin biosynthesis MeSH
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 prevention & control MeSH
- Gilbert Disease physiopathology MeSH
- Glucuronosyltransferase genetics MeSH
- Hyperbilirubinemia epidemiology genetics physiopathology MeSH
- Cardiovascular Diseases prevention & control MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Inflammation Mediators antagonists & inhibitors MeSH
- Metabolic Syndrome prevention & control MeSH
- Oxidative Stress physiology MeSH
- Sex Factors MeSH
- Severity of Illness Index MeSH
- Age Factors MeSH
- Life Style MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Review MeSH
- MeSH
- Antioxidants pharmacology metabolism MeSH
- Bilirubin biosynthesis secretion MeSH
- Chlorophyll * administration & dosage pharmacology isolation & purification MeSH
- Heme Oxygenase-1 metabolism MeSH
- Carcinogenesis * metabolism drug effects MeSH
- Models, Animal MeSH
- Mice, Nude MeSH
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic drug effects MeSH
- Prostatic Neoplasms metabolism pathology prevention & control MeSH
- Pancreatic Neoplasms metabolism pathology prevention & control MeSH
- Oxidative Stress drug effects MeSH
- In Vitro Techniques MeSH
- Publication type
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
