Effects of bilirubin on red cell metabolism.
Blirubin causes certain defects in erythrocyte metabolism, mainly in glycolysis. These effects of bilirubin were studied in vitro using a relatively physiological assay medium, which consisted of heparinized whole blood. Bilirubin was added in a small quantity of NaOH solution. In the presence of bilirubin a reduced glucose consumption of red cells and an accelerated depletion in the ATP and glycerate-2,3-bisphosphate concentration was found. Bilirubin levels lower than 50 mumol/l did not influence the glucose consumption. In agreement to other investigations it was established that bilirubin causes haemolysis of red cells. ATP-deficient cells are more sensitive to this effect.
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000097:blood; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D004163:Diphosphoglyceric Acids / Q000097:blood; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006932:Hyperbilirubinemia / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004163:Diphosphoglyceric Acids; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D001663:Bilirubin