SERUM BILIRUBIN LEVELS AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK: A JANUS BIFRONS?

This review examines in vitro and in vivo studies, indicating that bilirubin inhibits lipid oxidation and oxygen radical formation. Experimental and epidemiological evidence is presented that suggests that bilirubin may serve as a physiological antioxidant providing protection against cardiovascular disease. Special attention is focused on large prospective studies that noted a strong, inverse relationship between serum bilirubin concentrations and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality even after adjustment for traditional risk factors. Overall, the evidence from these studies suggests that bilirubin, via its antioxidant potential, has antiatherogenic properties, and that serum bilirubin concentrations in the upper portion of the reference interval for the general population may provide some protection against cardiovascular disease, whereas concentrations in the lower portion of the reference interval indicate increased cardiovascular risk.