Unconjugated bilirubin kinetics in Dubin-Johnson syndrome

Plasma unconjugated bilirubin kinetics were studied by a two-compartment analysis in 10 patients with Dubin-Johnson syndrome (DJS) and 7 normal controls. The clearance of unconjugated bilirubin from plasma was significantly reduced in the patients with DJS as compared to the controls (p less than 0.01). Kinetic analysis of plasma disappearance data showed an increase in reflux and decrease in conjugation. These results indicate that defects in both conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin metabolism exist in DJS.