Enhancement of Heme Catabolism by Caloric Restriction in Man

Abstract

The endogenous production of carbon monoxide (V˘O) was found to increase by 68 (range 16–150) per cent over baseline level after caloric restriction (380 kcal/36 h) in 8 healthy adults. Total serum bilirubin increased by 50 (0–150) per cent. No changes were seen in total body heme, haptoglobin, or serum iron. Even though two cases with chronic unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia showed a more marked bilirubin increase after caloric restriction, their increase in V˙O was within the range seen in healthy adults.

Key Words:

• Bilirubin
• carbon monoxide
• fasting
• heme metabolism