Open AccessBlack Pigment or Polybilirubinate Gallstones
Author(s) -
W. Burnett,
K.R. Dwyer,
C. H. L. Kennard
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
annals of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.153
H-Index - 309
eISSN - 1528-1140
pISSN - 0003-4932
DOI - 10.1097/00000658-198103000-00013
Subject(s) - gallstones , pigment , medicine , bilirubin , bile pigments , organic chemistry , chemistry
Black pigment, extracted from gallstones from patients, has been characterized as polybilirubinate. A similar material with the same physical properties was synthesized from bilirubin. The properties of black pigment are described. A mechanism for black pigment formation is postulated, and the possible relationship of this pigment to the formation of gallstones is discussed.