Inhibition of Brain Respiration in vitro by Bilirubin. Reversal of Inhibition By Various Means.

Abstract

Bilirubin added to the ambient fluid in concns, above 20-25 mg.% depresses the respiration of chopped rat brain by approx. 25%. This inhibition can be counteracted by oxidation of the bilirubin and by the action of methylene blue on the bilirubin. Cytochrome C also reverses the inhibition. The mechanisms of these reversals appear to be different.