Energy change in the formation of conjugated bilirubin: a possible responsive mechanism for liver cell pathology.
Bilirubin is formed when red blood cells die and their hemoglobin is broken down within the macrophages into heme and globins. In the liver, bilirubin is conjugated with UDP-glucuronate, making it water-soluble diglucuronide. Concerning this conjugation, a molecule of bilirubin reacts with two molecules of glucoronic acid. However, the nature of this energy-consuming reaction in the formation of conjugated bilirubin has never been reported, and this can be important for its potential implication in hyperbilirubinemia. In this work, the author calculated the energy required by conjugated-bilirubin formation per molecule. The energy required for complex formation is -22 kCal/mol. The nature of this energy-producing reaction can be a good explanation. Increased energy delivery in conjugated hyperbilirubinemia in liver disease might be a responsive mechanism to hepatic damage.
Wiwanitkit
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Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. wviroj@yahoo.com
D001663:Bilirubin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005965:Glucuronates / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006932:Hyperbilirubinemia / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000378:metabolism
D005965:Glucuronates; C019270:bilirubin diglucuronide; C016266:bilirubin glucuronate; D001663:Bilirubin