Related Experiment Videos
Serum bilirubin distribution and its relation to cardiovascular risk in children and young adults
M Madhavan1, W A Wattigney, S R Srinivasan
1Department of Pathology, University of Madras, Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, India.
Insights
Bilirubin, an antioxidant, may protect tissues and lower cardiovascular disease risk. Lower serum bilirubin levels were linked to increased risk factors like obesity and smoking.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cardiovascular Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Bilirubin exhibits antioxidant and anti-complement properties, suggesting a role in protecting tissues.
- These properties are relevant to understanding atherogenesis, the development of atherosclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine serum bilirubin distribution in a biracial community.
- To investigate the relationship between serum bilirubin levels and cardiovascular risk factors in young individuals.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of serum bilirubin levels in 4156 individuals aged 5-30 years.
- Assessment of associations with race, sex, age, adiposity, smoking, lipid profiles, glucose, insulin, and blood pressure.
- Comparison of bilirubin levels based on parental history of heart attack or hypertension.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in bilirubin levels were observed based on race (whites > blacks) and sex (males > females, with exceptions).
- Bilirubin levels showed age-related changes, particularly in males up to 24 years.
- Adiposity and smoking were independently and inversely associated with bilirubin levels.
- Serum bilirubin positively correlated with HDL cholesterol and inversely with triglycerides, VLDL, LDL, insulin, glucose, and systolic blood pressure in specific groups.
- Individuals with a parental history of heart attack or hypertension had lower bilirubin levels.
Conclusions:
- Serum bilirubin levels vary significantly across demographic groups and are influenced by lifestyle factors.
- Bilirubin demonstrates inverse correlations with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.
- Lower bilirubin levels are associated with a parental history of cardiovascular disease, suggesting bilirubin may act as an inverse risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Abstract:
There is evidence that bilirubin functions as an endogenous tissue protector by its antioxidant and anti-complement actions, properties that are relevant to atherogenesis. Serum bilirubin distribution and its relation to cardiovascular risk were examined in 4156 individuals aged 5-30 years from a biracial (black white) community. Bilirubin levels showed significant differences related to race (whites > blacks) and sex (males > females, except in 5-10 year olds). In males the levels increased with age up to 24 years, while in females the changes were less conspicuous. Both adiposity and cigarette smoking associated independently and inversely with bilirubin. In addition, serum bilirubin correlated positively with HDL cholesterol and inversely with triglycerides, VLDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, insulin, glucose and systolic blood pressure although these correlations were significant only in certain age-race-sex groups. Offspring with a parental history of heart attack or hypertension had consistently lower bilirubin levels than those without such parental history. Thus, bilirubin may be an inverse risk factor for cardiovascular disease.