Bilirubin Is an Antioxidant of Possible Physiological Importance

TLDR

Bilirubin, the end product of heme catabolism, is typically viewed as a cytotoxic, lipid‑soluble waste that must be excreted. In vitro, micromolar bilirubin efficiently scavenges peroxyl radicals, with antioxidant activity enhanced under low oxygen and surpassing α‑tocopherol in liposomes, indicating a potential physiological chain‑breaking antioxidant role.

Abstract

Bilirubin, the end product of heme catabolism in mammals, is generally regarded as a potentially cytotoxic, lipid-soluble waste product that needs to be excreted. However, it is shown here that bilirubin, at micromolar concentrations in vitro, efficiently scavenges peroxyl radicals generated chemically in either homogeneous solution or multilamellar liposomes. The antioxidant activity of bilirubin increases as the experimental concentration of oxygen is decreased from 20% (that of normal air) to 2% (physiologically relevant concentration). Furthermore, under 2% oxygen, in liposomes, bilirubin suppresses the oxidation more than α-tocopherol, which is regarded as the best antioxidant of lipid peroxidation. The data support the idea of a "beneficial" role for bilirubin as a physiological, chain-breaking antioxidant.