Effects of pH and hypoglycemia on bilirubin cytotoxicity in vitro.

In this study the effects of pH and hypoglycemia on bilirubin cytotoxicity in vitro were examined by means of a 51Cr release assay. The bilirubin cytotoxicity, which was dose dependent, was increased at lower pH values. Cells, pre-exposed to the hypoglycemic state, became more resistant on incubation in culture medium containing glucose for 1 h in comparison with those exposed to the hypoglycemic state only.