Elsevier

Early Human Development

Volume 30, Issue 2, September 1992, Pages 171-177
Early Human Development

The effects of hypoxanthine, xanthine oxidase and hyperoxia on the accumulation of bilirubin and albumin in young rat brain

https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-3782(92)90144-6Get rights and content

Abstract

Hyperoxia has been suggested as a risk factor for kernicterus. The toxicity of hyperoxia may be mediated by free radicals. We investigated the effects of free radicals, formed by the hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase system, with and without additional hyperoxia, on the accumulation of bilirubin and albumin in rat brain. Hypoxanthine was infused for 60 min into retrograde carotid catheters in awake, young, male SPRD rats. After 30 min the infusion was briefly interrupted to inject xanthine oxidase 1 U/kg through the same catheter. Group I (controls) received 0.9% NaCl in lieu of hypoxantine/xanthine oxidase. Groups I and II breathed room air at all times, while group III breathed 90% O2. After 60 min all groups received a bolus dose of 125I-albumin through a peripheral venous catheter, followed by bilirubin 25 mg/kg for 5 min, then bilirubin 35 mg/kg for 55 min. There were no significant differences between the groups as regards serum bilirubin, serum albumin, brain bilirubin, or brain albumin. Neither during normoxic nor hyperoxic conditions did the hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase system increase the accumulation of bilirubin or albumin in rat brain.

References (41)

  • B.M. Babior et al.

    Biological defense mechanisms. The production by leukocytes of superoxide - a potential bactericidal agent

    J. Clin. Invest.

    (1973)
  • D. Bratlid et al.

    Determination of conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin by methods based on direct spectrophotometry and chloroform extraction. A reappraisal

    Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest.

    (1971)
  • D. Bratlid et al.

    Effect of serum hyperosmolality on opening of bloodbrain barrier for bilirubin in rat brain

    Pediatrics

    (1983)
  • G. Buonocore et al.

    The role of antioxidant erythrocyte enzyme activities in the development of neonatal hemolysis and hyperbilirubinemia

    Biol. Neonate

    (1983)
  • G.H. Burgess et al.

    The effects of brain blood flow on brain bilirubin deposition in newborn piglets

    Pediatr. Res.

    (1985)
  • W.J. Cashore et al.

    Influence of gestational age and clinical status on bilirubin-binding capacity in newborn infants

    Am. J. Dis. Child.

    (1977)
  • P.H. Chan et al.

    Brain injury, edema and vascular permeability changes induced by oxygen-derived free radicals

    Neurology

    (1984)
  • H.-C. Chen et al.

    Ultrastructural studies in experimental kernicterus

    Am. J. Pathol.

    (1966)
  • R. Day

    Kernicterus problem: experimental in vivo and in vitro staining of brain tissue with bilirubin

    Am. J. Dis. Child.

    (1947)
  • R.F. Del Maestro et al.

    Free radicals as mediators of tissue injury

    Acta Physiol. Scand.

    (1980)
  • View full text