Project description:Bilirubin (BR) is a natural endogenous compound with a potent bioactivity. Gilbert's Syndrome (GS) is a benign hereditary condition of increased unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) in serum and serves as a convenient model for studying the effects of BR in humans. In absence of liver disease, increased UCB levels are inversely associated to all-cause mortality risk, especially from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). On the other hand, telomere malfunction is linked to a higher risk of CVDs. To our knowledge, there is no data on whether UCB is linked to telomere length in healthy or diseased individuals In the present study we have observed a relationship between mildly increased serum UCB and telomere length. We used an in vivo approach, assessing telomere length in PBMCs from individuals with GS (n = 60) and matched healthy controls (n = 60). An occurrence of longer telomeres was observed in male individuals chronically exposed to increased UCB, as well as in Gunn rats, an animal model of unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia. Previously identified differences in immunomodulation and redox parameters in individuals with GS, such as IL-6, IL-1β and ferric reducing ability of plasma, were confirmed and proposed as possible contributors to the occurrence of longer telomeres in GS.
Project description:ObjectiveTo describe neonatal survival and long-term neurological outcome in neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia (NH) with extreme serum bilirubin (SBR) values.DesignRetrospective chart review, a one-off neurodevelopmental evaluation.SettingSpecial care baby unit in a refugee camp and clinics for migrant populations at the Thailand-Myanmar border with phototherapy facilities but limited access to exchange transfusion (ET).PatientsNeonates ≥28 weeks of gestational age with extreme SBR values and/or acute neurological symptoms, neurodevelopment evaluation conducted at 23-97 months of age.Main outcome measuresNeonatal mortality rate, prevalence of acute bilirubin encephalopathy (ABE) signs, prevalence of delayed development scores based on the Griffiths Mental Development Scale (GMDS).ResultsFrom 2009 to 2014, 1946 neonates were diagnosed with jaundice; 129 (6.6%) had extreme SBR values during NH (extreme NH). In this group, the median peak SBR was 430 (IQR 371-487) µmol/L and the prevalence of ABE was 28.2%. Extreme NH-related mortality was 10.9% (14/129). Median percentile GMDS general score of 37 survivors of extreme NH was poor: 11 (2-42). 'Performance', 'practical reasoning' and 'hearing and language' domains were most affected. Four (10.8%) extreme NH survivors had normal development scores (≥50th centile). Two (5.4%) developed the most severe form of kernicterus spectrum disorders.ConclusionIn this limited-resource setting, poor neonatal survival and neurodevelopmental outcomes, after extreme NH, were high. Early identification and adequate treatment of NH where ET is not readily available are key to minimising the risk of extreme SBR values or neurological symptoms.
Project description:BackgroundNeonatal hyperbilirubinaemia is a physiologic phenomenon, but, when severe, may cause lifelong disability. Maternity care assistants (MCAs) play an important role in timely recognition of severe neonatal jaundice. We assessed knowledge and skills of MCAs regarding neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia.MethodsAll Dutch MCAs (n =?9065) were invited to fill out a questionnaire assessing knowledge, expertise, and handling of neonatal jaundice. Additionally, we developed an e-learning and provided training sessions to a subgroup of MCAs (n =?99), and assessed their knowledge on neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia before and after the training.ResultsOne thousand four hundred sixty-five unique online questionnaires were completed (response 16.2%). The median number of correctly answered knowledge questions was 5 (out of six; IQR 1). Knowledge was significantly better when respondents had had in-service training on neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia in the previous year (p =?0.024). Although 82% of respondents felt highly skilled or skilled to assess jaundice, accuracy of estimation of total serum bilirubin levels by assessing skin colour was generally poor and prone to underestimation. Among participants attending a training session, those who completed the e-learning beforehand had higher pre-training scores (5 (IQR 1) vs. 4 (IQR 2); p <?0.001). The median post-training score was higher than pre-training (6 (IQR 1) vs. 5 (IQR 2); p <?0.001).ConclusionsBackground knowledge of MCAs regarding neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia was adequate, but can be improved by further training. Estimation of total serum bilirubin levels based on skin colour was often inadequate. Approaches to improve timely recognition of jaundiced neonates are needed.
Project description:Non-human primates were used as a model of human neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia and its chemotherapeutic suppression. High levels of haem oxygenase activity were detected in the liver and the spleen of neonatal rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and cynomolgus (Macaca irus) monkeys. When 1-day-old neonatal animals were given a single injection of Zn-protoporphyrin (40 mumol/kg, subcutaneously), serum bilirubin levels declined to nearly normal adult levels within 24 h and remained suppressed throughout the postnatal period (12 days). This treatment inhibited the activities of haem oxygenase and biliverdin reductase in the liver and the spleen, without affecting that of the brain. Zn-protoporphyrin treatment did not alter the activity of brain biliverdin reductase or increase brain bilirubin levels. The biological disposition of Zn-protoporphyrin was examined by measuring the biliary and urinary excretion of the metalloporphyrin complex, as well as its uptake and deposition in blood cells and tissues. Biliary excretion of the metalloporphyrin was minimal (0.12% over a 28 h period), and no evidence was detected for the urinary excretion of Zn-protoporphyrin. However, the concentration of metalloporphyrin in erythrocytes increased over the duration of the experiment (11 days) to such an extent that 46% of the administered compound was taken up by the cells. It appeared that the molecular basis for the sustained suppression of haem oxygenase activity and bilirubin production by Zn-protoporphyrin involved the release of the metalloporphyrin in the normal process of the degradation of fetal erythrocytes. The scope of the biological activity of Zn-protoporphyrin to alter haem-dependent processes appeared limited in nature, insofar as the microsomal contents of cytochrome P-450 and b5, as well as the aniline hydroxylase, were similar to those of the control animals. Also, the concentration of glutathione in the liver was unchanged. These findings suggest the potential usefulness of Zn-protoporphyrin in experimental and perhaps clinical conditions in which hyperbilirubinaemia occurs.
Project description:BackgroundSeveral mutations of bilirubin uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase gene (UGT1A1) have been reported in patients with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Few reports are available about the p.Pro364Leu mutation (P364L, c.1091C > T) in homozygous newborns. We describe the clinical, laboratory and therapeutic approach in two Chinese neonates with severe jaundice, homozygous for the P364L mutation.Case presentationTwo Chinese breastfed female infants presented prolonged unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia at the age of 1 month. Total bilirubin was higher than 15 mg/dl (D < 1). An exhaustive etiological work-up to detect possible causes of hyperbilirubinemia (notably hemolytic ones) was negative. The promoter and coding regions of UGT1A1 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from genomic DNA isolated from leukocytes. Both patients resulted homozygous for a variant site within the coding region of the gene in the 4 exon, c.1091C > T, p.Pro364Leu. In front of the persistently high level of unconjugated bilirubin, phototherapy was performed without persistent results. A treatment with phenobarbital was then begun and bilirubin level progressively decreased, with a complete and persistent normalization. The therapy was stopped.ConclusionUGT1A1 enzyme activity associated with the P364L mutation has been described as 35.6% of the wild-type enzyme activity. Photo-therapy and phenobarbital can be useful in front of persistently high level of unconjugated bilirubin. Our cases presented high bilirubin values, overlapping between Gilbert syndrome (GS) and Crigler-Najjar syndrome type II (CNS), but the complete normalization of bilirubin makes GS more likely. Homozygous P364L variant can be associated with severe neonatal unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in Chinese infants, but jaundice can completely resolve in a few months, contrary to what happens in Crigler-Najjar syndrome type II.
Project description:Background: The pathophysiology of bilirubin neurotoxicity in course of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in term and preterm infants is still poorly understood. We hypothesized that oxidative stress may be a common mechanism that link hyperbilirubinemia and HIE. Objectives: The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) may enhance the HI brain injury by increasing oxidative stress and to test pioglitazone and allopurinol as new antioxidant therapeutic drugs in vitro. Methods: The effects of UCB were tested on organotypic hippocampal slices subjected to 30 min oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), used as in vitro model of HIE. The experiments were performed on mature (14 days in culture) and immature (7 days in culture) slices, to mimic the brains of term and preterm infants, respectively. Mature and immature slices were exposed to UCB, human serum albumin (HSA), pioglitazone, and/or allopurinol for 24 h, immediately after 30 min OGD. Neuronal injury was assessed using propidium iodide (PI) fluorescence. ROS formation was quantified by using the 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) method. Results: In mature slices, we found that the neurotoxicity, as well as oxidative stress, induced by OGD were enhanced by UCB. HSA significantly prevented UCB-increased neurotoxicity, but had a slight reduction on ROS production. Allopurinol, but not pioglitazone, significantly reduced UCB-increased neurotoxicity induced by OGD. In immature slices exposed to OGD, no increase of neuronal death was observed, whereas oxidative stress was detected after UCB exposure. HSA, pioglitazone and allopurinol have no protective effects on both OGD-induced neuronal death and on UCB-induced oxidative stress. For this reason, UCB, pioglitazone and allopurinol was also tested on ischemic preconditioning protocol. We found that UCB abolished the neuroprotection induced by preconditioning and increased oxidative stress. These effects were restored by allopurinol but not pioglitazone. Conclusions: UCB characterized a different path of neuronal damage and oxidative stress in mature and immature hippocampal slice model of HIE. Management of hyperbilirubinemia in a complex pathological condition, such as HIE and hyperbilirubinemia, should be very careful. Allopurinol could deserve attention as a novel pharmacological intervention for hyperbilirubinemia and HIE.
Project description:To retrospectively analyze and quantitatively correlate UGT1A1 (bilirubin UDP- glucuronosyltransferase gene) genotypes and unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia (UCH) phenotypes among Chinese children.We retrospectively reviewed UCH patients, quantitatively analyzed genotype-phenotype correlation by comparing with healthy controls. Pfam database, SWISS-model, and Pymol were used for UGT1A1 protein domain analysis and protein modeling for assessing the effect of novel missense variants on protein structure.Seventy four cases, including 21 prolonged unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia (PUCH), 30 Gilbert syndrome (GS), 22 Crigler-Najjar syndrome type II (CNS-II), and 1 Crigler-Najjar syndrome type I (CNS-I) phenotypes were analyzed. Total of 21 variants, including 7 novel variants (c.764T>A/p.L255Q, c.1112C>T/p.T371I, c.1028C>A/p.S343X, c.1047delG/p.I350YfsX16, c.996 + 5G>C/g.6923G>C, c.287G>A/p.G96E, and c.1142G>A/p.S381N) were found. In the multiple regression model, heterozygous A(TA)7TAA, G71R/P364L, and Y486D/other mutations were significantly associated with increased risk of GS, PUCH, and CNS-II, respectively. Total allele number is significantly associated with GS and CNS-II, with each increase in total allele number, the odds ratio (OR) of having GS and CNS-II increased by 1.46 and 4.47 fold, respectively. Having only functional polymorphisms in UGT1A1 gene is associated with increased risk of PUCH, and GS with OR values of 5.67 (95% CI: 1.52-21.13), and 3.88 (95% CI: 1.02-14.78), respectively. Having only mutation is associated with significantly increased risk of having GS phenotype (OR: 34.00, 95% CI: 4.65-248.37), but not CNS-II. Polymorphism plus mutation had the strongest association with CNS-II with OR value of 64.80 (95% CI: 7.68-546.41), followed by GS (OR: 4.53, 95% CI: 1.08-19.08).We detected 7 novel variants, and quantitatively calculated risks of having specific phenotypes using genetic data. Among Chinese children, G71R and P364L is independently associated with PUCH, A(TA)7TAA is associated with GS, and Y486D or other disease-causing mutations were associated with CNS-II. Multiple alleles were associated with more severe phenotypes. Combined variant of G71R+Y486D is a common occurrence among Chinese children with UCH.
Project description:Population risks for neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia (NH) vary. Knowledge of local risks permits interventions that may reduce the proportion becoming severe. Between January 2015 and May 2016, in a resource-limited setting on the Thailand-Myanmar border, neonates from 28 weeks' gestation were enrolled into a prospective birth cohort. Each neonate had total serum bilirubin measurements: scheduled (24, 48, 72 and 144 hours of life) and clinically indicated; and weekly follow up until 1 month of age. Risk factors for developing NH were evaluated using Cox proportional hazard mixed model. Of 1710 neonates, 22% (376) developed NH (83% preterm, 19% term). All neonates born <35 weeks, four in five born 35-37 weeks, and three in twenty born ≥38 weeks had NH, giving an overall incidence of 249 per 1000 livebirths [95%CI 225, 403]. Mortality from acute bilirubin encephalopathy was 10% (2/20) amongst the 5.3% (20/376) who reached the severe NH threshold. One-quarter (26.3%) of NH occurred within 24 hours. NH onset varied with gestational age: at a median [IQR] 24 hours [24, 30] for neonates born 37 weeks or prematurely vs 59 hours [48, 84] for neonates born ≥38 weeks. Risk factors for NH in the first week of life independent of gestational age were: neonatal G6PD deficiency, birth bruising, Sgaw Karen ethnicity, primigravidae, pre-eclampsia, and prolonged rupture of membranes. The genetic impact of G6PD deficiency on NH was partially interpreted by using the florescent spot test and further genotyping work is in progress. The risk of NH in Sgaw Karen refugees may be overlooked internationally as they are most likely regarded as Burmese in countries of resettlement. Given high levels of pathological jaundice in the first 24 hours and overall high NH burden, guidelines changes were implemented including preventive PT for all neonates <35 weeks and for those 35-37 weeks with risk factors.
Project description:The dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) model of colitis is a common animal model of inflammatory bowel disease that causes pain and distress. In this study, we aimed to determine whether fluid supplementation can be used as a welfare-based intervention to minimize animal suffering. C57Bl/6 females undergoing acute colitis by administration of 3% DSS in drinking water were supplemented with 1 mL intraperitoneal injections of NaCl and compared to non-supplemented control mice. Mouse behavior and locomotive activity were assessed on days 5-6 after DSS initiation by means of tail suspension, novel object recognition and open field activity tests. Mice were euthanized after either the acute (day 7) or the recovery phase (day 12) of colitis and inflammation, epithelial proliferation, and differentiation were assessed by means of histology, immunohistochemistry, quantitative PCR, and western blot. We found that fluid-supplemented mice had reduced signs of colitis with no alterations in behavior or locomotive activity. Furthermore, we observed an accelerated epithelial repair response after fluid hydration during the acute phase of colitis, characterized by increased crypt proliferation, activation of ERK1/2, and modulation of TGF-β1 expression. Consistent with these findings, fluid-supplemented mice had increased numbers of goblet cells, upregulated expression of differentiation markers for absorptive enterocytes, and reduced inflammation during the recovery phase. Our results show that fluid hydration does not reduce stress in DSS-treated mice but alters colitis evolution by reducing clinical signs and accelerating epithelial repair. These results argue against the routine use of fluid supplementation in DSS-treated mice.
Project description:BACKGROUND:Between 6% and 15% of neonates develop hyperbilirubinaemia requiring treatment. Successful management of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia relies on prevention and early treatment, with phototherapy being the mainstay of treatment. Oral zinc has been reported to decrease the serum total bilirubin (STB), presumably by decreasing the enterohepatic circulation. OBJECTIVES:To determine the effect of oral zinc supplementation compared to placebo or no treatment on the incidence of hyperbilirubinaemia in neonates during the first week of life and to assess the safety of oral zinc in enrolled neonates. SEARCH METHODS:We searched CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2014, Issue 1), MEDLINE (1966 to November 30, 2014), and EMBASE (1990 to November 30, 2014). SELECTION CRITERIA:Randomised controlled trials were eligible for inclusion if they enrolled neonates (term and preterm) to whom oral zinc, in a dose of 10 to 20 mg/day, was initiated within the first 96 hours of life, for any duration until day seven, compared with no treatment or placebo. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:We used the standard methods of The Cochrane Collaboration and its Neonatal Review Group for data collection and analysis. MAIN RESULTS:Only one study met the criteria of inclusion in the review. This study compared oral zinc with placebo. Oral zinc was administered in a dose of 5 mL twice daily from day 2 to day 7 postpartum. The drug was administered into the mouth of the infant by the plastic measure provided with the bottle or with a spoon. Incidence of hyperbilirubinaemia, defined as serum total bilirubin (STB) ? 15 mg/dL, was similar between groups (N = 286; risk ratio (RR) 0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58 to 1.52). Mean STB levels, mg/dL, at 72 ± 12 hours were comparable in both the groups (N = 286; mean difference (MD) -0.20; 95% CI -1.03 to 0.63). Although the duration of phototherapy in the zinc group was significantly shorter compared to the placebo group (N = 286; MD -12.80, 95% CI -16.93 to -8.67), the incidence of need for phototherapy was comparable across both the groups (N = 286; RR 1.20; 95% CI 0.66 to 2.18). Incidences of side effects like vomiting (N = 286; RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.19 to 2.25), diarrhoea (N = 286; RR 2.92, 95% CI 0.31 to 27.71), and rash (N = 286; RR 2.92, 95% CI 0.12 to 71.03) were found to be rare and statistically comparable between groups. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS:The limited evidence available has not shown that oral zinc supplementation given to infants up to one week old reduces the incidence of hyperbilirubinaemia or need for phototherapy.