Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 2003, 199 (3)

Case Report

Transient Relief of Asthma Symptoms during Jaundice:
A Possible Beneficial Role of Bilirubin

TAKASHI OHRUI, HIROYASU YASUDA, MUTSUO YAMAYA, TOSHIFUMI MATSUI and HIDETADA SASAKI

Department of Geriatric and Respiratory Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8574

Bilirubin arises from enzymatic reduction by biliverdin reductase of biliverdin, a product of heme oxygenase activity. Recent literature describes that bilirubin is a major physiologic antioxidant that can protect cells from chemical oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide. Recently, it has been reported that oxidative stress may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of asthma. We report a case of complete resolution of persistent difficult-to-control asthma in accordance with increased levels of serum bilirubin due to acute hepatitis B. The present case suggests that anti-oxidative agents might be effective for the treatment of asthma.

Keywords —— intractable asthma; oxidative stress; hyperbilirubinemia; antioxidant activity

© 2003 Tohoku University Medical Press

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Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 2003, 199, 193-196

Address for reprints: Hidetada Sasaki, M.D., Prof. and Chairman, Department of geriatric and respiratory Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryomachi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8574, Japan.

e-mail: dept@geriat.med.tohoku.ac.jp