Bilirubin can help improve cardiovascular health: STUDY

Bilirubin, a yellow-orange pigment, forms after the breakdown of red blood cells and is eliminated by the liver. It's not just a sign of bruising, it can provide cardiovascular benefits, according to a large epidemiological study. Several studies have suggested that bilirubin may have beneficial effects, acting as an antioxidant or interfering with atherosclerosis. The data from this study adds to this evidence and refers specifically to people living with HIV and to an anti-HIV drug, atazanavir, known for increasing bilirubin levels. The researchers did not see an independent effect of atazanavir on cardiovascular risk. Even if it is well controlled by antiretroviral drugs, HIV infection has negative effects on cardiovascular health.

. Vincent Marconi, author of the study. Marconi and colleagues examined data that included 31. 418 HIV-positive patients and 66. 987 HIV-negative veterans, almost all men and 48% African Americans.

Their age was on average for 48 years. Researchers divided study participants into four groups, depending on their bilirubin levels. Higher levels of bilirubin have been associated with a lower risk of heart attack, heart failure or stroke. The highest bilirubin group had 76% of the risk of combined cardiovascular events as the lowest group, with effects seen even in people without hepatic disease. Most of the change occurred in the normal physiological range.

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