Heroes and bilirubins. (Letters).I read "Bilirubin Bilirubin The predominant orange pigment of bile. It is the major metabolic breakdown product of heme, the prosthetic group of hemoglobin in red blood cells, and other chromoproteins such as myoglobin, cytochrome, and catalase. : Both villain and hero?" (SN: 12/14/02, p. 381) about bilirubin protecting cells from free radicals and possibly cancer and heart disease. People with Gilbert's syndrome Gilbert's syndrome A mild hereditary form of jaundice. Mentioned in: Jaundice Gilbert's syndrome benign hereditary hyperbilirubinemia of humans marked by mild intermittent jaundice and often by fatigue, weakness and abdominal pain. , which affects 5 percent of the population, have higher-than-normal amounts of bilirubin in their blood. Has any study been conducted to ascertain whether people with Gilbert's syndrome have a lower incidence of cancer and heart disease? BRUCE WEINSTEIN, RIVERDALE, N.Y. Yes, says Solomon H. Snyder Dr. Solomon H. Snyder (born December 26, 1938) is an American neuroscientist. Snyder graduated from Georgetown University in 1958 and Georgetown Medical School in 1962. of Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions: "An excellent study [referenced in our paper] shows a five-fold reduction in ischemic heart disease Ischemic heart disease Insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle (myocardium). Mentioned in: Myocarditis ischemic heart disease in Gilbert's patients."--J. TRAVIS |
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