Biliverdin dihydrochloride was found responsible for cytoprotection. It was also found to induce tolerance to cardiac allografts. Biliverdin hydrochloride may regulate the cellular heme degradation process by occupying the heme binding site on heme oxygenase which would prevent access of the substrate to the catalytic site of the enzyme.
Biliverdin(BV) is considered as a near-infrared (NIR)-absorbing pigment, that is endogenic. It is a linear tetrapyrrolic intermediate of heme degradation (heme catabolism) to bilirubin. The bile of amphibia and birds contains only biliverdine, no bilirubin.
Biliverdin (BV) is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent that protects against lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced lung injury in mouse endothelial cells. It aids protection in polymicrobial sepsis. Biliverdin has cytoprotective effects on rat livers and protects from prolonged ischemia and reperfusion injury. It also shows antioxidant activities.
Biliverdin dihydrochloride significant decreases the intimal hyperplasia following balloon angioplasty and vascular grafting in rats[1].
