Biliverdin
Biliverdin
Biliverdin (pronounced: bil-ee-ver-din) is a green tetrapyrrolic bile pigment, and is a product of heme catabolism. It is responsible for the green color sometimes seen in bruises and the greenish tint sometimes observed in the serum of patients with liver disease.
Etymology
The term "biliverdin" is derived from the Latin bilis (meaning "bile") and viridis (meaning "green").
Production and Metabolism
Heme is broken down by heme oxygenase into biliverdin, carbon monoxide, and free iron. Biliverdin is then reduced to bilirubin by biliverdin reductase.
Role in the Body
Biliverdin has potent antioxidant effects and may play a role in the body's response to injury and inflammation. It has been shown to protect cells from oxidative stress.
Related Terms
- Bilirubin: A yellow compound that occurs in the normal catabolic pathway that breaks down heme in vertebrates.
- Jaundice: A condition characterized by high levels of bilirubin in the blood, causing yellowing of the skin and other tissues.
- Heme: A component of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood.
- Heme oxygenase: An enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of heme.
- Biliverdin reductase: An enzyme that converts biliverdin to bilirubin.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Biliverdin
- Wikipedia's article - Biliverdin
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