title: Proton-induced dismutation of superoxide in aprotic media by bile pigments.
abstract: Cyclic voltammetry of molecular oxygen in aprotic media (dimethylformamide) and in the presence of bilirubin and other bile pigments shows that superoxide anion (O2-.) undergoes proton-induced dismutation. Lactam hydrogens of bile pigments are sufficiently acid to induce (O2-.) 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 (O2-.) is suggested.
authors: Departament de Química Orgànica, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Ribó
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Farrera
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Claret
mesh_terms: D001654:Bile Pigments / Q000378:metabolism*; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000378:metabolism; D001664:Biliverdine / Q000378:metabolism; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D004126:Dimethylformamide; D004566:Electrodes; D005609:Free Radicals; D011522:Protons; D012996:Solutions; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001654:Bile Pigments; D005609:Free Radicals; D011522:Protons; D012996:Solutions; D013481:Superoxides; D004126:Dimethylformamide; D001664:Biliverdine; D001663:Bilirubin