Successful treatment of severe unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia via induction of UGT1A1 by rifampicin

J Hepatol. 2006 Jan;44(1):243-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2005.09.011. Epub 2005 Oct 27.

Abstract

We report two patients with uncommon Gilbert's syndrome with severe unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia which was reduced from 200 to 60-90 micromol/L by long-term administration of rifampicin. Hepatic induction of bilirubin-glucuronosyltransferase was suggested by increased relative amounts of conjugated serum bilirubin. This molecular mechanism was confirmed in primary cultures of human hepatocytes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bilirubin / blood
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gilbert Disease / blood
  • Gilbert Disease / drug therapy*
  • Gilbert Disease / pathology
  • Glucuronosyltransferase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Glucuronosyltransferase / blood
  • Hepatocytes / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Rifampin / therapeutic use*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • UGT1A1 enzyme
  • Glucuronosyltransferase
  • Bilirubin
  • Rifampin