(biochemistry) A chromogen, formed in feces and present in urine, from which urobilin is formed by oxidation.
Urobilinogen
| Sci-Tech Dictionary: urobilinogen |
(′yu̇r·ə′bil·ə·jən)
| 5min Related Video: Urobilinogen |
| Medical Dictionary: u·ro·bi·lin·o·gen |
| Veterinary Dictionary: urobilinogen |
A colorless compound formed in the intestines by the reduction of bilirubin. Small amounts of the bilirubin produced in the body by the breakdown of hemoglobin are excreted in the urine as urobilinogen. Increased amounts of urobilinogen in the urine indicate an excessive amount of bilirubin in the blood. Determination of the amount of urobilinogen excreted in a given period makes it possible to evaluate certain types of hemolytic anemia and also is of help in diagnosing liver dysfunction such as hepatocellular damage.
- fecal u. — a group of urobilinoid substances which react with Ehrlich's reagent. Presence indicates an open bile duct and a functional enterohepatic circulation of bile pigments.
| WordNet: urobilinogen |
Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.
The noun has one meaning:
Meaning #1:
a chromogen formed in the intestine from the breakdown of bilirubin; yields urobilins on oxidation; some is excreted in the feces and some is resorbed and excreted in bile or urine
Synonym: stercobilinogen
| Wikipedia: Urobilinogen |
| Urobilinogen | |
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| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 14684-37-8 |
| PubChem | 26818 |
| MeSH | Urobilinogen |
| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C33H44N4O6 |
| Molar mass | 592.726 |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) | |
| Infobox references | |
Urobilinogen is a colourless product of bilirubin reduction. It is formed in the intestines by bacterial action. Some urobilinogen is reabsorbed, taken up into the circulation and excreted by the kidney. This constitutes the normal "enterohepatic urobilinogen cycle".
Increased amounts of bilirubin are formed in haemolysis, which generates increased urobilinogen in the gut. In liver disease (such as hepatitis), the intrahepatic urobilinogen cycle is inhibited also increasing urobilinogen levels. Urobilinogen is converted to the yellow pigmented urobilin apparent in urine.
The urobilinogen remaining in the intestine (stercobilinogen) is oxidized to brown stercobilin, which gives the feces their characteristic color.
In biliary obstruction, below-normal amounts of conjugated bilirubin reach the intestine for conversion to urobilinogen. With limited urobilinogen available for reabsorption and excretion, the amount of urobilin found in the urine is low. High amounts of the soluble conjugated bilirubin enter the circulation where they are excreted via the kidneys. These mechanisms are responsible for the dark urine and pale stools observed in biliary obstruction.
Abnormal values
Absence of urine urobilinogen may result from complete obstructive jaundice or treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, which destroy the intestinal bacterial flora. (Failure of bilirubin production or obstruction of bilirubin passage.)
Low urine urobilinogen levels may result from congenital enzymatic jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia syndromes) or from treatment with drugs that acidify urine, such as ammonium chloride or ascorbic acid.
Elevated levels may indicate hemolytic anaemia (excessive RBC breakdown), overburdening of the liver, increased urobilinogen production, re-absorption - a large hematoma, restricted liver function, hepatic infection, poisoning or liver cirrhosis.[1][2]
References
- ^ "Urobilinogen". Family Health Information. http://www.family-health-information.com/lab-tests/urobilinogen.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-30.
- ^ "Urobilinogen in urine". Home test kist. http://www.anytestkits.com/utk-urobilinogen-in-urine.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-30.
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Learn More
 | stercobilinogen |
| Watson's test |
| Ehrlich's test |
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 | Sci-Tech Dictionary. McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms. Copyright © 2003, 1994, 1989, 1984, 1978, 1976, 1974 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more |
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