The influence of albumin on the distribution and excretion of bilirubin in jaundiced rats

• Published in: Pediatrics (Evanston) 1966-01, Vol.37 (1), p.51-61
• Main Authors: Natzschka, J C, Odell, G B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Bilirubin - metabolism; Hyperbilirubinemia - etiology; Infusions, Parenteral; Jaundice - metabolism; Povidone - pharmacology; Rats; Serum Albumin - metabolism
• ISSN: 0031-4005; 1098-4275
• DOI: 10.1542/peds.37.1.51

Infusion experiments were performed in adult rats with two different loads of bilirubin. The maximal biliary excretion was found to be 65± σ 12 µgm bil./100 gm body weight/min. A single intravenous injection of human albumin caused an increase of the serum concentration of bilirubin. The changes in blood hematocrit and total serum protein concentration indicated that the administered albumin remained within the intravascular space for the duration of the experiments. The intravenous administration of PVP was followed by a fall of the serum concentration of bilirubin. This was due to a hemodilution caused by the PVP as indicated by the simultaneous decrease of hematocrit and serum protein concentration. The intravascular bilirubin content remained unchanged after the injection of PVP. The hepatic excretion rate of bilirubin and the bilirubin concentration of the adipose tissue were not significantly altered by the injection of either human albumin or PVP. The results demonstrate that albumin may prevent bilirubin from concentrating in extravascular tissues, and it can also effect a back diffusion of bilirubin already within non-adipose extravascular tissues.