Bilirubin is a yellow colored pigment that is created by the breakdown of red blood cells in the liver. The function of the liver is to get rid of the waste materials in the body, which includes bilirubin.
Because Bilirubin is not water soluble it is transported to the liver bound to serum albumin. Once bilirubin reaches the liver, it is conjugated with glucoronic acid to become more water soluble. This conjugated bilirubin is excreted from the liver into the biiary and cyctic ducts along with bile.
Liver diseases result in improper (reduced) excretion of bilirubin from the body, which results in increased levels of bilirubin in the bloodstream. This causes yellowing of the eyes and skin.
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