We developed an enzymatic method for measuring direct-reacting bilirubin (DBIL) in serum. At pH 4.5, bilirubin oxidase (BOX) oxidizes mono-conjugated bilirubin, di-conjugated bilirubin, and most of the delta-bilirubin to biliverdin. The resulting decrease in absorbance at 460 nm is linearly related to the concentration of DBIL in serum. Mean DBIL values in the 51 patients' sera examined by the ...

BACKGROUND Severe neonatal jaundice with associated acute bilirubin encephalopathy occurs frequently in low- and middle-income countries, where advanced diagnostic technology is in short supply. In an effort to facilitate the physical diagnosis of acute bilirubin encephalopathy, we pilot-tested a modified bilirubin induced neurologic dysfunction scoring algorithm in a group of pediatric trainee...

We evaluated serum total bilirubin levels as a predictor for metabolic syndrome (MetS) and investigated the relationship between serum total bilirubin levels and MetS prevalence. This cross-sectional study included 1728 participants over 65 years of age from Eastern China. Anthropometric data, lifestyle information, and previous medical history were collected. We then measured serum levels of f...

Hyperbilirubinemia is a common problem in neonates and causes serious complications. Thus, serial measurements of bilirubin should be done. This assessment is done through two methods of laboratory measurement in serum sample and transcutaneous bilirubinometer. This descriptive study compared transcutaneous bilirubin assessment and laboratory serum bilirubin. Bilirubin level was assessed among ...

Bilirubin is sensitive to light and oxygen. The rate of photodegradation of unconjugated bilirubin (Bu) was nearly twice that of monoconjugated bilirubin (mBc) and three fold that of diconjugated bilirubin (dBc); delta bilirubin (Bd) was the most stable against photoirradiation. In the presence of serum albumin, conjugated bilirubin (Bc: i.e., mBc and dBc) showed the highest rate of oxidation b...

BACKGROUND Bilirubin has been reported to protect against kidney injury. However, further studies highlighting the beneficial effects of bilirubin on renal fibrosis and chronic renal function decline are necessary. METHODS We assessed a prospective cohort with a reference range of total bilirubin levels. The primary outcome was a 30% reduction in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR...

Background: The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services approved a number of panels as screening tests including those for liver functions. The utility of routinely testing for Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and direct bilirubin was questioned and empirical data analyzed to suggest alternatives. Methods: Tests done over six months were examined for AST, ALT, total and direct bilirubin valu...

Bilirubin, an abundant bile pigment in mammalian serum, was once considered a toxic waste product and has more recently been recognized as a potent antioxidant of physiological importance. However, its potential biological functions in other fields are not well understood. Herein we show that bilirubin is also a powerful immunomodulatory agent. Bilirubin significantly inhibited Ag-specific and ...

PURPOSE We sought to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of total serum bilirubin concentration (TSB) and free (unbound) bilirubin concentration (Bf) as predictors of risk for bilirubin toxicity and kernicterus and to examine consistency between these findings and proposed mechanisms of bilirubin transport and brain uptake. METHODS A review of literature was undertaken to define basic pr...

We used two coated thin films to measure the concentrations of unconjugated, conjugated, and total bilirubin as well as bilirubin covalently bound to albumin ("delta" bilirubin) in more than 400 serum samples. We measured the unconjugated and conjugated species by determining their reflection densities at two wavelengths (400 and 460 nm) on a coating designed for the enhanced spectral measureme...