title: Bilirubin: its role in cytoprotection against oxidative stress.
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, in the last 10 years, in vitro and in vivo studies, have demonstrated that bilirubin exhibits potent anti-oxidant properties preventing the oxidative damage triggered by a wide range of oxidant-related stimuli. Therefore, the idea of a beneficial and physiological role for bilirubin in cytoprotection against short and long-lasting oxidant-mediated cell injury is highlighted here.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Quijmica Biologica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquijmica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junijn 956, 1113, Buenos Aires, Argentina. ptomaro@ffyb.uba.ar
authors.forename: María L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Tomaro
authors.forename: Alcira M del C
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Batlle
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D019610:Cytoprotection; D006418:Heme / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015394:Molecular Structure; D018384:Oxidative Stress
chemical_list: D006418:Heme; D001663:Bilirubin