Biochemistry, Biliverdin

Excerpt

Biliverdin is a tetrapyrrolic, water-soluble compound formed by the breakdown of heme. Heme is broken down into biliverdin and carbon monoxide and iron by heme oxidase. Biliverdin is then quickly broken down to bilirubin by biliverdin reductase. The buildup of biliverdin and bilirubin, due to increased hemolysis or liver damage resulting in impaired glucuronidation, causes jaundice. While the buildup of bilirubin and biliverdin have been known to have negative effects, recently, numerous beneficial effects of these compounds have been discovered. Biliverdin is anti-mutagenic, an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunosuppressant. The buildup of biliverdin has been shown to upregulate the activity of biliverdin reductase, an enzyme that is a regulator of the innate immune system.