Unconjugated Bilirubin exerts Pro-Apoptotic Effect on Platelets via p38-MAPK activation.

ABSTRACT: Thrombocytopenia is one of the most frequently observed secondary complications in many pathological conditions including liver diseases, where hyperbilirubinemia is very common. The present study sought to find the cause of thrombocytopenia in unconjugated hyperbilirubinemic conditions. Unconjugated bilirubin (UCB), an end-product of heme catabolism, is known to have pro-oxidative and cytotoxic effects at high serum concentration. We investigated the molecular mechanism underlying the pro-apoptotic effect of UCB on human platelets in vitro, and followed it up with studies in phenylhydrazine-induced hyperbilirubinemic rat model and hyperbilirubinemic human subjects. UCB is indeed found to significantly induce platelet apoptotic events including elevated endogenous reactive oxygen species g

SUBMITTER: NaveenKumar SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4602209 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature