Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Dried Blood Spots - Preparing and Processing for Use in Immunoassays and in Molecular Techniques
11:28

Dried Blood Spots - Preparing and Processing for Use in Immunoassays and in Molecular Techniques

Published on: March 13, 2015

Relationships between serum (ZZ)-bilirubin, its subfractions and biliverdin concentrations in infants at 1-month

S Itoh1, M Kondo, T Imai

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Kagawa Medical University, Kitagun, Japan. sitoh@kms.ac.jp

Annals of Clinical Biochemistry
|July 27, 2001
PubMed

Insights

This study measured serum bilirubin and biliverdin in 150 infants, finding (ZZ)-bilirubin is the most concentrated. (ZE)-bilirubin showed a strong correlation with (ZZ)-bilirubin, crucial for understanding neonatal jaundice.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Biochemistry
  • Analytical Chemistry

Background:

  • Neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia is a common clinical issue.
  • Understanding bilirubin metabolism and its photoisomers is vital for effective treatment.
  • Previous studies have focused on total bilirubin, with less emphasis on specific isomers and their correlations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify serum concentrations of (ZZ)-bilirubin, its subfractions, and biliverdin in infants.
  • To investigate the relationships among these compounds, particularly in relation to (ZZ)-bilirubin.
  • To analyze the presence of (EZ)-cyclobilirubin under ambient light conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Serum samples from 150 infants were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography.
  • Quantification of (ZZ)-bilirubin, (ZE)-bilirubin, biliverdin, and glucuronosyl bilirubin subfractions.
  • Statistical analysis to determine correlations between different bilirubin forms.

Main Results:

  • (ZZ)-Bilirubin was the predominant isomer, with (ZE)-bilirubin comprising 14.0% and biliverdin 0.95%.
  • (ZE)-Bilirubin demonstrated a significant positive logarithmic correlation with (ZZ)-bilirubin (R2=0.863, P<0.0001).
  • (EZ)-cyclobilirubin was detected in small amounts in about half of the infants; glucuronosyl bilirubin concentrations suggested saturation kinetics of bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase.

Conclusions:

  • The study provides detailed insights into the serum profile of bilirubin isomers and biliverdin in infants.
  • The strong correlation between (ZE)-bilirubin and (ZZ)-bilirubin is a key finding for understanding bilirubin dynamics.
  • The presence of (EZ)-cyclobilirubin under ambient light and the saturation kinetics of bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase have implications for neonatal jaundice management.

More Related Videos

Repeated Blood Collection for Blood Tests in Adult Zebrafish06:17

Repeated Blood Collection for Blood Tests in Adult Zebrafish

Published on: August 30, 2015

Determining Bile Duct Density in the Mouse Liver07:35

Determining Bile Duct Density in the Mouse Liver

Published on: April 30, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Development of Immunocompetence01:22

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
Blood Studies I: ABG and VBG01:26

Blood Studies I: ABG and VBG

Blood studies are critical in the medical field, enabling healthcare professionals to assess a patient's health status accurately. This page will focus on two significant blood studies: Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) and Venous Blood Gas (VBG).
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) studies are crucial for assessing the lungs' ability to supply oxygen and remove carbon dioxide, reflecting the patient's ventilation status. They also help understand the kidneys' capacity to reabsorb or...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test01:22

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess the...
Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests01:24

Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests

Renal function tests are crucial for assessing kidney health, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating the kidneys' efficiency in waste elimination, fluid balance, and electrolyte regulation. These tests offer critical insights into kidney function, even though routine measurements may appear normal until there is a significant decline in the glomerular filtration rate or GFR. Typically, signs of kidney impairment only become evident when the GFR falls to about 50% of its normal level.
Jaundice01:25

Jaundice

Jaundice, or icterus, is the yellow discoloration of the skin, sclerae, and mucous membranes. It happens when plasma bilirubin levels rise above 2.5-3 mg/dL, leading to bilirubin deposition in tissue.Bilirubin is a byproduct of hemoglobin degradation. In macrophages, hemoglobin breaks down into globin and heme. Globin is converted into amino acids, while heme is turned into biliverdin by heme oxygenase, which is then reduced to unconjugated bilirubin by biliverdin reductase.Unconjugated...