Bilirubin Links Heme Metabolism to Neuroprotection by Scavenging Superoxide (Cell Chemical Biology)

Bilirubin is routinely measured in clinical blood tests, yet its physiologic functions remain unclear. Here, Vasavda et al. report that bilirubin is a physiologic antioxidant with distinct chemical activity toward superoxide, a reactive oxygen anion. They find that bilirubin is neuroprotective, in part by regulating superoxide signaling during neurotransmission.