Hepatic bilirubin glucuronidation in Gilbert's syndrome.

Abstract

Abstract Hepatic bilirubin uridine diphosphate-glucuronyl transferase (UDPG-T) and β-glucuronidase were assayed in liver biopsies from normal subjects, patients with Gilbert's syndrome, and patients with acute viral hepatitis. In the Gilbert's syndrome group UDPG-T was uniformly reduced, unrelated to the serum bilirubin concentration, unaffected by acute changes in caloric intake, and not significantly altered by phenobarbital administration. In the hepatitis group, UDPG-T was normal and significantly increased by phenobarbital (p