Gilbert syndrome and ischemic heart disease: a protective effect of elevated bilirubin levels.
BACKGROUND
Oxidation processes play an important role in atherogenesis. Bilirubin IXalpha 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<0.05). Bilirubin, total antioxidant capacity and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were found to be significantly higher in GS subjects compared to control groups (P<0.05). According to linear discriminant analysis, hyperbilirubinemia rather than elevation of HDL cholesterol levels seemed to be more important in protection from IHD.


CONCLUSIONS
In the present study, low prevalence of IHD in GS subjects was detected. It may be presumed that chronic hyperbilirubinemia prevent the development of IHD by increasing the serum antioxidant capacity.
Vítek
Libor
L
4th Department of Internal Medicine, 1st Medical Faculty, Charles University Prague, U Nemocnice 2, 128 08 Prague, Czech Republic. vitek@cesnet.cz
Jirsa
Milan
M
Brodanová
Marie
M
Kalab
Milan
M
Marecek
Zdenek
Z
Danzig
Vilém
V
Novotný
Ladislav
L
Kotal
Petr
P
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005878:Gilbert Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control
D000975:Antioxidants; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D001663:Bilirubin