A Study of the Reported Occurrence of Mesobilirubin in Human Bile.

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Abstract
The presence of mesobilirubin in human bile as reported by Baumgartel and Almendinger has been sought by means of newly developed methods of both paper and column chromatography and spectroscopic distinction from bilirubin upon addition of iodine and zinc after suitable preliminary preparation. The earlier alleged identification of mesobilirubin in bile depended simply on the finding of glaucobilin (mesobiliverdin) after oxidation with ferric chloride. This reaction is not specific for mesobilirubin as it is given by d- and i-urobilins, in larger amount by the former of these two substances. Examination of bile samples obtained by T-tube drainage from 6 patients following cholecystectomy, from one gallbladder at necropsy, from one patient with an external biliary fistula and from two gall-bladders removed surgically, has failed to reveal the presence of mesobilirubin as detected by the above methods, which are sensitive to 0.5 mg%in the presence of large amounts of bilirubin. Small amounts of mesobilirubin added to bile were readily detected by these methods. Mesobilirubin was found in the urine of a fatal case of acute hepatic necrosis. It is believed that this was formed in the intestine and reabsorbed into the portal circulation.

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