Mild hyperbilirubinaemia as an endogenous mitigator of overweight and obesity: Implications for improved metabolic health

Abstract

Our results propose that the health promoting potential of mild hyperbilirubinaemia may extend to protection from age-related weight gain and dyslipidaemia.

Heme Oxygenase Dependent Bilirubin Generation in Vascular Cells: A Role in Preventing Endothelial Dysfunction in Local Tissue Microenvironment?

“…Endothelial dysfunction and inflammation characterize the development and progression of obesity, and mild hyperbilirubinemia contributes to a reduction of obesity especially during aging. These findings were particularly significant when abdominal obesity, triglyceridemia and hip and waist circumference were considered (Seyed Khoei et al, 2018). The same authors have shown that in Gilbert individuals expression level of p-AMPK, PPAR-α and γ, and PGC1-α in PBMCs were significantly higher in comparison to age-and gender-matched control subjects (Mölzer et al, 2016), whilst others have shown that UCB limits lipid deposition in adipose cells by binding PPAR-α nuclear receptors (Stec et al, 2016).…”

“…It is conceivable that larger studies focused on older population are needed to explain this lack of association. Indeed, the inverse correlation between plasma UCB levels and the prevalence of obesity has be proved to be stronger in older subjects (Seyed Khoei et al, 2018).…”

Induction of Mild Hyperbilirubinemia: Hype or Real Therapeutic Opportunity?

“…20 In a recent Austrian case-control study on subjects with GS, benign hyperbilirubinemia was negatively associated with body mass index (BMI), hip circumference, and lipid profile. 21 Not only MetS per se but also the nonalcoholic steatohepatitis seems to be negatively associated with serum bilirubin concentrations. 22 Based on these observational epidemiological studies, including cross-sectional and cohort studies, the evidence for the protective effects of bilirubin against MetS seems to be rather strong.…”

“…Not surprisingly, bilirubin concentrations have been negatively associated with risk factors of MetS, such as central obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension that together culminate in the manifestation of T2DM and CVD . In a recent Austrian case‐control study on subjects with GS, benign hyperbilirubinemia was negatively associated with body mass index (BMI), hip circumference, and lipid profile . Not only MetS per se but also the nonalcoholic steatohepatitis seems to be negatively associated with serum bilirubin concentrations .…”

Does elevated bilirubin aid weight control by preventing development of hypothalamic leptin resistance?

“…A recent cross-sectional epidemiological study evaluating subjects with GS has achieved some remarkable findings 4. This study enrolled 124 subjects with GS (average plasma unconjugated bilirubin 30.7 µM) and 124 age-matched and gender-matched controls (8.7 µM).…”