title: Reversible photoreduction of flavin with bilirubin I.
abstract: In the photochemical degradation of bilirubin under anaerobic condition, the bilirubin riboflavin-system behaves as an equilibrium electrochemical system characterized by a redox-potential. Bilirubin decomposes irreversibly and riboflavin functions as a reversible electron acceptor. This equilibrium is not established under aerobic conditions, probably due to reoxidation of the riboflavin leuco-form by oxygen. Riboflavin accelerates the bilirubin photodegradation about 30 times at equimolar concentrations of the two components and in the presence of a buffer at pH 7.3. The present results of a study on a model system are applicable in the phototherapy of newborn infant hyperbilirubinemia.
mesh_terms: D000332:Aerobiosis; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007567:Jaundice, Neonatal / Q000628:therapy; D007700:Kinetics; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010782:Photolysis; D010789:Phototherapy; D011048:Polarography; D004856:Postural Balance; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic
chemical_list: D001663:Bilirubin; D012256:Riboflavin