Bilirubin contributes to immune suppression after islet transplants

(Cell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair) Stress and injury can cause up to a 70 percent loss of transplanted islet cells within 72 hours after transplantation. Bilirubin, an antioxidant, was used successfully as a supplement to suppress the immune response to allograft islet transplantation and also significantly decrease islet cell death after the cells had been isolated and undergone nutrient deprivation and hypoxic (low oxygen) stress. Bilirubin supplementation could improve outcomes after allograft islet cell transplantation to treat type 1 diabetes.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - Category: Biology Source Type: news