Unconjugated bilirubin promotes uric acid restoration by activating hepatic AMPK pathway

Abstract

Hyperuricemia and its development to gout have reached epidemic proportions. Systemic hyperuricemia is facilitated by elevated activity of xanthine oxidase (XO), the sole source of uric acid in mammals. Here, we aim to investigate the role of bilirubin in maintaining circulating uric acid homeostasis. We observed serum bilirubin concentrations were inversely correlated with uric acid levels in humans with new-onset hyperuricemia and advanced gout in a clinical cohort consisting of 891 participants. We confirmed that bilirubin biosynthesis impairment recapitulated traits of hyperuricemia symptoms, exemplified by raised circulating uric acid levels and accumulated hepatic XO, and exacerbated mouse hyperuricemia development. Bilirubin administration significantly decreased circulating uric acid levels in hyperuricemia-inducing (HUA) mice receiving potassium oxonate (a uricase inhibitor) or fed with a high fructose diet. Finally, we proved that bilirubin ameliorated mouse hyperuricemia by increasing hepatic autophagy, restoring antioxidant defense and normalizing mitochondrial function in a manner dependent on AMPK pathway. Hepatocyte-specific AMPKα knockdown via adeno-associated virus (AAV) 8-TBG-mediated gene delivery compromised the efficacy of bilirubin in HUA mice. Our study demonstrates the deficiency of bilirubin in hyperuricemia progression, and the protective effects exerted by bilirubin against mouse hyperuricemia development, which may potentiate clinical management of hyperuricemia.