Heme Breakdown and Jaundice

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to heme breakdown, bilirubin metabolism, jaundice, and phototherapy.

Biliverdin Reductase

An enzyme that reduces biliverdin to bilirubin, utilizing NADPH.

Glucuronyl Bilirubin Transferase (UDP-glucuronyl transferase)

Enzyme that catalyzes the conjugation of bilirubin with UDP-glucuronic acid, forming bilirubin glucuronides.

Hyperbilirubinemia

Increased levels of bilirubin in the blood, often resulting in yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Jaundice

Yellowish discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes due to increased bilirubin levels.

Hemolysis

Breakdown of red blood cells, which can lead to increased bilirubin production and jaundice.

Infant Jaundice

A condition in infants due to the lack of UDP-glucuronyl transferase in the developing liver, leading to high bilirubin levels.

Phototherapy

Treatment for infant jaundice using light to convert bilirubin into more soluble photoisomers.

Microbial Enzymes

Enzymes produced by microbes in the large intestine that act on bilirubin diglucuronide.

Stercobilin

A product of bilirubin metabolism by microbial enzymes in the large intestine, contributing to the brown color of feces.

Urobilinogen

A product of bilirubin metabolism by microbial enzymes in the large intestine, some of which is excreted by the kidneys.

Heme Oxygenase

Catalyzes the breakdown of heme into biliverdin, CO, and Fe3+.

Bilirubin Glucuronides

Water-soluble forms of bilirubin produced by the conjugation of bilirubin with glucuronic acid in the liver.

Photoisomers

Isomers of bilirubin formed during phototherapy that are more water-soluble and can be excreted without glucuronidation.