Gilbert syndrome and ischemic heart disease: a protective effect of elevated bilirubin levels

• Published in: Atherosclerosis 2002-02, Vol.160 (2), p.449-456
• Main Authors: Vı́tek, Libor, Jirsa, Milan, Brodanová, Marie, Kaláb, Milan, Mareček, Zdeněk, Danzig, Vilém, Novotný, Ladislav, Kotal, Petr
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Antioxidants - analysis; Bilirubin; Bilirubin - blood; Bilirubin - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cholesterol, HDL - blood; Coronary heart disease; Female; Gilbert Disease - blood; Gilbert Disease - complications; Gilbert syndrome; Heart; Humans; Ischemic heart disease; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Myocardial Ischemia - blood; Myocardial Ischemia - complications; Myocardial Ischemia - physiopathology; Myocardial Ischemia - prevention & control; Oxidation
• ISSN: 0021-9150; 1879-1484
• DOI: 10.1016/S0021-9150(01)00601-3

Background: Oxidation processes play an important role in atherogenesis. Bilirubin IXα is recognised as a potent antioxidant. In the present study, we assessed the role of elevated serum bilirubin levels in the prevention of ischemic heart disease (IHD). Methods: The occurrence of IHD was determined in Gilbert syndrome (GS) patients above 40 years ( n=50). The diagnosis was based on past medical history and ECG criteria. The occurrence was related to that of the comparable general population ( n=2296). Serum biochemistry, including the total antioxidant status was evaluated in the GS subjects, IHD patients ( n=38) and control subjects ( n=38). Results: The prevalence of IHD in GS subjects (aged 49.7±9.0 years) was 2% (0.05–10.7%, 95% confidence interval), compared to 12.1% in a general population ( P