Bilirubin-oxidizing activity in rat brain

Biology of the Neonate
T W Hansen, J W Allen

Abstract

Bilirubin may be cleared from the brain by transport across the blood-brain barrier and by a 'sink effect' into the cerebrospinal fluid. However, there is also evidence to suggest that bilirubin may be metabolized in the brain by a process of oxidation. The purpose of this study was to confirm the existence of bilirubin metabolism in the brain and to examine the possible contribution of such an activity to the bilirubin staining pattern characteristic of kernicterus. Mitochondrial membrane fractions were prepared in 0.32 M sucrose from whole rat brains as well as brain regions. The change in optical density of a bilirubin solution at 440 nm was measured over time following addition of the mitochondrial suspension. Our results confirmed the existence of a bilirubin-metabolizing activity in brain mitochondrial membranes. This activity could be removed by heating the mitochondrial suspension and had a definable temperature and pH maxima. The rate of oxidation of bilirubin ranged from 109 to 164 pmol/min/mg protein. There were significant differences between rat brain regions in the ability to oxidize bilirubin. However, these differences could not explain the kernicterus staining phenomenon, because the highest activities were fou...Continue Reading

Citations

Jan 9, 2003·Clinics in Perinatology·Thor Willy Ruud Hansen
Nov 24, 1999·Molecular Genetics and Metabolism·T W HansenS Tommarello
Sep 26, 2000·Molecular Genetics and Metabolism·T W Hansen
Apr 1, 1997·Biochemical and Molecular Medicine·T W Hansen, J W Allen
Feb 12, 1998·Biochemical and Molecular Medicine·T W HansenJ W Allen
Nov 26, 2003·European Journal of Clinical Investigation·J D OstrowC Tiribelli
Jan 23, 2002·Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association·T W Hansen
Nov 5, 2019·Frontiers in Pharmacology·Xinyi LiShankai Yin

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