Bilirubin, according to researchers from the National Institutes of Health and the University of Maryland, is the cause of the yellow color of the urine.
“Gut microbes encode the enzyme bilirubin reductase (BilR) that converts bilirubin into a colourless byproduct called urobilinogen,” Professor Brantley Hall who led the study said.
He added, “Urobilinogen then spontaneously degrades into a molecule called urobilin, which is responsible for the yellow colour we are all familiar with.”
Xiaofang Jiang, one of the study’s co-authors, said that by identifying this enzyme, we can delve into how the bacteria residing in our gut influence bilirubin levels in the bloodstream.
Scientifically, the gut microbiome’s impact surpasses jaundice and inflammatory bowel disease. The study’s breakthrough marks progress in understanding the microbiome’s role.
Exploring enzymes like bilirubin reductase deepens our understanding, revolutionising diagnosis and treatments for a wide range of conditions in healthcare.