Bilirubin as an Anti-oxidant for Surgical Stress: APreliminary Report of Bilirubin Oxidative Metabolites

摘要

Background Bilirubin has been recognized as an antioxidant.The purpose of this study was to examinewhether bilirubin would act as an antioxidant forsurgical stress in humans. Materials and MethodsSerum bilirubin and urinary bilirubin oxidativemetabolites (BOM) were measured in 96 patientswho underwent surgery. The antioxidant activityof bilirubin was assessed using BOM measuredby enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with ananti-bilirubin monoclonal antibody. Results Serumbilirubin levels increased after surgery in all 96patients (p<0.01), but did not correlate with operationtime or blood loss (p=0.53 andp=0.28, respectively).BOM increased only in patients with majorsurgeries (p=0.048). Significant correlations betweenBOM and operation time and blood loss were found(p<0.01). Conclusions Bilirubin appears to act as anantioxidant for invasive surgery in humans. UrinaryBOM could be a reliable marker for the degree ofsurgical stress.