ISSN:
1420-9071
Keywords:
Bile pigments
;
bilirubin
;
superoxide dismution
;
superoxide scavenger
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Cyclic voltammetry of molecular oxygen in aprotic media (dimethylformamide) and in the presence of bilirubin and other bile pigments shows that superoxide anion ( $$O_{\mathop 2\limits^. }^ - $$ ) undergoes proton-induced dismutation. Lactam hydrogens of bile pigments are sufficiently acid to induce $$O_{\mathop 2\limits^. }^ - $$ disproportionation to O2 and H2O2. Because of its characteristic lipophilic behavior, a biological role for natural bilirubin similar to that of other non-enzymatic lipophilic scavengers of $$O_{\mathop 2\limits^. }^ - $$ is suggested.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01955417
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