bilirubin

[ bil-uh-roo-bin, bil-uh-roo-bin ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a reddish bile pigment, C 33 H 36 O 6 N 4 , resulting from the degradation of heme by reticuloendothelial cells in the liver: a high level in the blood produces the yellow skin symptomatic of jaundice.

bilirubin

/ ˌbɪlɪˈruːbɪn; ˌbaɪ- /

noun

1. an orange-yellow pigment in the bile formed as a breakdown product of haemoglobin. Excess amounts in the blood produce the yellow appearance associated with jaundice. Formula: C 32 H 36 O 6 N 4

bilirubin

/ bĭl′ĭ-ro̅o̅′bĭn /

1. A reddish-yellow pigment that is a constituent of bile and gives it its color. Bilirubin is a porphyrin derived from the degradation of heme. It is often a constituent of gallstones, and also causes the skin discoloration seen in jaundice. Chemical formula: C 33 H 36 N 4 O 6 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of bilirubin¹

< German Bilirubin (1864), equivalent to Latin bīli ( s ) bile + rub ( er ) red + German -in -in ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of bilirubin¹

C19: from bile ¹+ Latin ruber red + -in

Example Sentences

According to the Mayo Clinic, Gilbert syndrome is a common, harmless liver condition in which the liver doesn’t properly process bilirubin, a yellow-orange substance produced by the breakdown of red blood cells and passed through bile.

From Los Angeles Times

“Gut microbes encode the enzyme bilirubin reductase that converts bilirubin into a colorless byproduct called urobilinogen,” lead author Brantley Hall, an assistant professor in the University of Maryland’s Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, said in a media statement.

From Salon

That’s because the research team found that bilirubin reductase is present in almost all healthy adults.

From Salon

“Now that we’ve identified this enzyme, we can start investigating how the bacteria in our gut impact circulating bilirubin levels and related health conditions like jaundice,” said Xiaofang Jiang, the study’s co-author.

From Salon

The enzyme is called bilirubin reductase, and it’s a result of the degradation of red blood cells.

From Salon