Localization of Bilirubin Pools in the Non-Jaundiced Rat, with a Note on Bilirubin Dynamics in Normal Human Adults and in Gilbert's Syndrome

Abstract

Thirty min after i.v. injection of ¹⁴C-bilirubin into normal rats, the label was distributed as follows: small intestine with contents 0.41, liver 0.15, blood plasma 0.14, skin—bone, etc.—lungs—spleen 0.30, skeletal muscle—fat depots—brain 0. Bilirubin outside liver and intestine is probably bound to extravascular serum albumin. Enterohepatic circulation of bilirubin takes place. A model is proposed for bilirubin kinetics in normal human adults and in Gilbert's syndrome.

Key Words:

• Bilirubin
• brain
• enterohepatic circulation
• extravascular albumin
• Gilbert's syndrome
• Y and Z proteins