Abstract

OTERO REGINO, William; VELASCO, Héctor  and  SANDOVAL, Héctor. The protective role of bilirubin in human beings. Rev Col Gastroenterol [online]. 2009, vol.24, n.3, pp. 293-301. ISSN 0120-9957.

Bilirubin is more than just the final product of heme catabolism. Today it is considered to be a fundamental substance which acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent in the serum. It can neutralize free radicals and prevent peroxidation of lipids. In addition there is evidence that it protects the cardiovascular system, neuronal systems, the hepatobiliary system, the pulmonary system and the immune system. Recently the use of pharmacological agents which augment expression of Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) has been considered. Consequently its metabolites such as carbon monoxide (CO), biliverdin (BV) and Bilirubin (BR) could become parts of a therapeutic strategy for treatment of various inflammatory illnesses.

Keywords : Biliverdin; bilirubin; antioxidant; antiinflammatory; cytoprotection.