A protective association between bilirubin and atherosclerosis/ischemic heart disease clearly exists in vivo. However, the relationship between bilirubin and in vivo oxidative stress parameters in a clinical population remains poorly described. The aim of this study was to assess whether persons expressing Gilbert syndrome (GS; i.e., unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia) are protected from thiol oxidation and to determine if this, in addition to their improved lipoprotein profile, could explain reduced oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) status in them. Forty-four matched GS and control subjects were recruited and blood was prepared for the analysis of lipid profile and multiple plasma antioxidants and measures of oxidative stress. GS subjects possessed elevated plasma reduced thiol (8.03±1.09 versus 6.75±1.39 nmol/mg protein; P <0.01) and glutathione concentrations (12.7±2.39 versus 9.44±2.45 μM; P <0.001). Oxidative stress status (reduced:oxidized glutathione; GSH:GSSG) was significantly improved in GS (0.49±0.16 versus 0.32±0.12; P <0.001). Protein carbonyl concentrations were negatively associated with bilirubin concentrations and were significantly lower in persons with >40 μM bilirubin versus controls (<17.1 μmol/L; P <0.05). Furthermore, absolute oxLDL concentrations were significantly lower in GS subjects ( P <0.05). Forward stepwise regression analysis revealed that bilirubin was associated with increased GSH:GSSG ratio and reduced thiol concentrations, which, in addition to reduced circulating LDL, probably decreased oxLDL concentrations within the cohort. In addition, a marked reduction in total cholesterol concentrations in hyperbilirubinemic Gunn rats is presented (Gunn 0.57±0.09 versus control 1.69±0.40 mmol/L; P <0.001), arguing for a novel role for bilirubin in modulating lipid status in vivo. These findings implicate the physiological importance of bilirubin in protecting from atherosclerosis by reducing thiol and subsequent lipoprotein oxidation, in addition to reducing circulating LDL concentrations.

Background: Fluid resuscitation is widely considered a life saving intervention in septic

Unconjugated bilirubin is an endogenous circulating antioxidant, bound to albumin, and therefore is retained in the vascular compartment. Bilirubin has well-documented neurotoxic effects in infants; however, current evidence indicates mildly elevated bilirubin is associated with protection from cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in adults. Recent clinical studies show mildly elevated bilirubin is associated with protection from kidney damage and dysfunction, in addition to cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This is the first review to examine the clinical evidence and summarize the potential mechanisms of action that link bilirubin to protection from kidney damage, subsequent kidney failure, and dialysis-related mortality. With this understanding, it is hoped that new therapies will be developed to prevent renal dysfunction and mortality from cardiovascular disease in at-risk individuals.

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.

Mildly elevated bilirubin is associated with a reduction in the presence and progression of chronic kidney disease and related mortality, which may be attributed to bilirubin’s antioxidant properties. This study investigated whether endogenously elevated bilirubin would protect against adenine-induced kidney damage in male hyperbilirubinaemic Gunn rats and littermate controls. Animals were orally administered adenine or methylcellulose solvent (vehicle) daily for 10 days and were then monitored for 28 days. Serum and urine were assessed throughout the protocol for parameters of kidney function and antioxidant/oxidative stress status and kidneys were harvested for histological examination upon completion of the study. Adenine-treated animals experienced weight-loss, polyuria and polydipsia; however, these effects were significantly attenuated in adenine-treated Gunn rats. No difference in the presence of dihydroadenine crystals, lymphocytic infiltration and fibrosis were noted in Gunn rat kidneys versus controls. However, plasma protein carbonyl and F2-isoprostane concentrations were significantly decreased in Gunn rats versus controls, with no change in urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine or kidney tissue F2-isoprostane concentrations. These data indicated that endogenously elevated bilirubin specifically protects from systemic oxidative stress in the vascular compartment. These data may help to clarify the protective relationship between bilirubin, kidney function and cardiovascular mortality in clinical investigations.

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), an oxidant produced by myeloperoxidase (MPO), induces protein and lipid oxidation, which is implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Individuals with mildly elevated bilirubin concentrations (i.e. Gilbert's syndrome; GS) are protected from atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and related-mortality. We aimed to investigate Albumin-bound UCB efficiently and specifically (3.9-125 µM; P<0.05) scavenged taurine-, glycine-and N-α-acetyl-lysine-chloramines. These results were translated into Gunn rat and GS serum/plasma which showed significantly (P<0.01) reduced chloramine formation after MPO-induced oxidation. Protein carbonyl and MDA formation were also reduced after MPO oxidation in plasma supplemented with UCB (P<0.05; 25 µM and 50 µM, respectively).Significant inhibition of protein and lipid oxidation was demonstrated within the physiological range of UCB, providing a hypothetical link to protection from atherosclerosis in hyperbilirubinaemic individuals. These data demonstrate a novel and physiologically relevant mechanism whereby UCB could inhibit protein and lipid modification, by quenching chloramines, induced by MPO-induced HOCl.

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Background A lung transplant is the last resort treatment for many patients with advanced lung disease. The majority of donated lungs come from donors following brain death (BD). The endothelin axis is upregulated in the blood and lung of the donor after BD resulting in systemic inflammation, lung damage and poor lung graft outcomes in the recipient. Tezosentan (endothelin receptor blocker) improves the pulmonary haemodynamic profile; however, it induces adverse effects on other organs at high doses. Application of ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) allows the development of organ-specific hormone resuscitation, to maximise and optimise the donor pool. Therefore, we investigate whether the combination of EVLP and tezosentan administration could improve the quality of donor lungs in a clinically relevant 6-h ovine model of brain stem death (BSD). Methods After 6 h of BSD, lungs obtained from 12 sheep were divided into two groups, control and tezosentan-treated group, and cannulated for EVLP. The lungs were monitored for 6 h and lung perfusate and tissue samples were processed and analysed. Blood gas variables were measured in perfusate samples as well as total proteins and pro-inflammatory biomarkers, IL-6 and IL-8. Lung tissues were collected at the end of EVLP experiments for histology analysis and wet-dry weight ratio (a measure of oedema). Results Our results showed a significant improvement in gas exchange [elevated partial pressure of oxygen (P = 0.02) and reduced partial pressure of carbon dioxide (P = 0.03)] in tezosentan-treated lungs compared to controls. However, the lungs hematoxylin–eosin staining histology results showed minimum lung injuries and there was no difference between both control and tezosentan-treated lungs. Similarly, IL-6 and IL-8 levels in lung perfusate showed no difference between control and tezosentan-treated lungs throughout the EVLP. Histological and tissue analysis showed a non-significant reduction in wet/dry weight ratio in tezosentan-treated lung tissues (P = 0.09) when compared to control. Conclusions These data indicate that administration of tezosentan could improve pulmonary gas exchange during EVLP.