Bile pigments destruction

The series of reactions which bring about these changes in the cells are not known precisely. However, the studies of Lemberg, of Libowitzky and Fischer,of Siedel, Watson, and others have indicated the possible chemical pathway for bile pigment formation from heme. The process appears to be an oxidative one in which the heme apparently catalyzes its own destruction (Fig. 20). 

In patients such as Will Sichel who have severe and recurrent episodes of increased red blood cell destruction (hemolytic anemia), greater than normal amounts of the red cell pigment heme must be processed by the liver and spleen. In these organs, heme (derived from hemoglobin) is degraded to bilirubin, which is excreted by the liver in the bile. 

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