Heme catabolism in rhesus neonates inhibited by zinc protoporphyrin.

The effect of zinc (II) protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP) administration (40 mumol/kg, i.v.) on neonatal heme catabolism and the associated bilirubin production was investigated in rhesus (Macaca mulatta) neonates. Carbon monoxide excretion rates (VECO), tissue heme oxygenase activity, and plasma bilirubin concentrations were measured during a 26-hour postnatal period. In ZnPP-treated neonates (n = 4), VECO values were significantly (p = 0.002) diminished by 24% within 24 h. When compared to controls (n = 3), tissue heme oxygenase activity in ZnPP-treated neonates was greatly reduced in both liver (94% inhibition, p = 0.047) and spleen (48% inhibition, p = 0.077), but essentially unaffected in the kidney and brain. Although not statistically significant, peak (24-hour) neonatal plasma bilirubin concentrations tended to be lower (23%). These results suggest ZnPP may be efficacious in reducing heme catabolism associated with neonatal jaundice.