Studies on the Mechanism of Bile Pigment Formation in Vivo. III. On the Transition of Biliverdin, and Bilirubin in the Bile of Rabbits.

1. In the bile of rabbits, the metabolisms of biliverdin and bilirubin are in a solucible state, and which have a ratio of 2: 1 in normal animals. 2. In the production of biliverdin, the liver, especially the parenchyma of the liver has a very important role, while that of the reticulo-endothelial system is rather minor. However, in the case of glucose administration, the reduction of bilirubin from biliverdin is performed in the reticulo-endothelial system, thus conferring an important part of this system. 3. The production of bilirubin is performed primarily extrahepatically, and the participation of the extrahepatical reticuloendothelial system is of a conservative nature, thus denying us any willingness to agree to the theory of bilirubin production in the reticulo-endothelial system. 4. On administration of hemolysed blood, bile pigments in bile demonstrate a remarkable increase, while as compared when injected into the auricle veins in cases of administration through the portal vein a decline in the functions of the liver reticulo-endothelial system is seen, causing a decrease in biliverdin amount. In the former modus of administration, an occasional stimulation of the liver reticulo- endothelial system is seen, causing reduction of biliverdin to bilirubin. 5. Concluding from these facts, biliverdin in rabbit bile occupies the role of an intermediate product in the production and metabolism of bilirubin.</p

Studies on the Me­chanism of Bile Pigment Formation in Vivo. Part &#8544;. On the Cor­relation between the Production of Bile Pigments and Functions of the Parenchymal Cells of the Liver.

1. In normal adults and in patients of non-hepatic diseases a transient hyperbilirubinemia occurs after peroral administration of hemolysed blood. 2. In cases of severe anchylostomiasis the serum bilirubin displays a remarkable decrease, and on imposition of hemolysed blood, no hyperbilirubinemia occurs but a relative one may be seen. 3. In patients with highly impaired functions of the parenchymal cells of the liver, neither absolute nor relative hyperbilirubinemia occurs on similar imposition of hemolysed blood. 4. Imposed blood or hemoglobin seems primarily to be phagocytosed by the reticulo-endothelial system. 5. A similar transient hyperbilirubinemia is also seen in rabbits after peroral imposition of hemohsed blood. 6. When the functions of the reticulo-endothelial system are accelerated by administration of &#34;Koha&#34;, even incases of nonimposition of blood a hyperbilirubinemia occurs, but when hemolysed blood is imposed an additional transient increase in the hyperbilirubinemia may be detected. 7. In cases of blockage of the reticulo- endothelial system, this degree in the occurrence of hyperbilirubinemia is somewhat lower. 8. In cases of impaired liver cells by carbon tetrachloride, this decline is especially remarkable, and only a tendency of occurence can be dected. Since it is very difficult to explain this fact only by the co-existing impairment in the reticulo-endothelial system, the decline in the functions of the parenchymal cells of the liver must be placed under consideration. 9. By absorption tests of the intestines and by serological procedures, it is apparent that the perorally administerred hemoglobin may be readily absorbed from the jejunum, under any of these conditions. 10. Consequently, as for the cause of the hyperbilirubinemia occurring after peroral administration of hemolysed blood, most naturaly the reticulo-endothelial system participates, but it is impossible to neglect the part payed by the parenchymal cells of the liver.</p