What Is Riboflavin? Other Names: B Complex Vitamin, Vitamin B2, Vitamin G

What is Riboflavin?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in maintaining human health. It is a member of the B-vitamin family and is essential for various cellular processes. This article explores the sources, functions, health benefits, and implications of riboflavin deficiency. Other names include: B Complex Vitamin, Complexe de Vitamines B, Flavin, Flavine, Lactoflavin, Lactoflavine, Riboflavin 5′ Phosphate, Riboflavin Tetrabutyrate, Riboflavina, Riboflavine, Vitamin B2, Vitamin G, Vitamina B2, Vitamine B2, Vitamine G.

Sources of Riboflavin

Riboflavin is found in a variety of foods. In Western diets, milk and dairy products are the primary sources, followed by meat, fish, and certain fruits and vegetables, especially dark-green vegetables2. Despite the availability of riboflavin-rich foods, deficiencies can still occur, particularly among the elderly and adolescents2.

Functions of Riboflavin

Riboflavin is a precursor to coenzymes flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), which are vital for numerous biochemical reactions in all living cells5. These coenzymes are involved in the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and play a significant role in mitochondrial energy metabolism, stress responses, and the biogenesis of vitamins and cofactors6.

Health Benefits of Riboflavin

Protective Effects

Riboflavin has been shown to have protective effects against various medical conditions, including sepsis, ischemia, and some forms of cancer. Its biological effects include anti-oxidant, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, and anti-cancer properties1. Additionally, riboflavin supplementation can reduce the toxic effects of certain drugs1.

Cardiovascular Health

Riboflavin plays a role in managing cardiovascular health by influencing the metabolism of homocysteine, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It has been found that riboflavin can help lower homocysteine levels, particularly in individuals with the MTHFR 677TT genotype, thereby reducing the risk of hypertension8 10.

Gastrointestinal Health

Riboflavin is essential for maintaining the health of the gastrointestinal tract. It has been shown to affect the renewal and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells, which is crucial for intestinal development and function3. Riboflavin deficiency can lead to conditions such as ariboflavinosis and esophageal epithelial atrophy, which can be mitigated by riboflavin supplementation9.

Metabolic Disorders

Riboflavin deficiency can have profound effects on iron absorption, tryptophan metabolism, and the function of other B vitamins, such as folate and vitamin B-6. This deficiency is associated with various health issues, including anemia, cancer, hyperglycemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and oxidative stress4 6.

Implications of Riboflavin Deficiency

Riboflavin deficiency can arise quickly within a few days of dietary deprivation and is of particular concern in Western countries despite the availability of riboflavin-rich foods2. Poor riboflavin status can interfere with iron handling, contribute to anemia, and affect the metabolism of other B vitamins2. Inborn errors of flavin metabolism and flavoenzyme function can also lead to significant health issues, which can often be alleviated by riboflavin supplementation6.

Learn more with Consensus:

 

---

Adverse Effects of Riboflavin

Deficiency-Related Adverse Effects

Clinical Manifestations: Severe riboflavin deficiency can cause cheilosis, angular stomatitis, glossitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and severe anemia with erythroid hypoplasia1.

Immune and Antioxidant System Impairment: Riboflavin deficiency decreases immunity and antioxidant capacity, leading to oxidative damage and poor growth in young grass carp2.

Esophageal and Gut Health: Riboflavin deficiency induces ariboflavinosis and esophageal epithelial atrophy, and modulates gut microbiota, which can affect overall health7.

Behavioral and Developmental Issues: Riboflavin deficiency during gestation and lactation can cause permanent alterations in general activity scores and brain nucleic acid and protein contents in rats9.

Intestinal Development: In weaned piglets, riboflavin deficiency negatively affects intestinal development and function, leading to lower villus height and increased apoptosis-related pathways10.

Excessive Intake-Related Adverse Effects

Toxicity in High Doses: Intraperitoneal administration of riboflavin in rats at very high doses (560 mg/kg) can cause death due to kidney obstruction by concretions. However, oral administration in high doses does not produce toxic effects due to low solubility and absorption3.

Minor Adverse Events: High-dose riboflavin (400 mg) used for migraine prophylaxis can cause minor adverse events such as diarrhea and polyuria, but these are not serious4.

Adverse Events in Specific Treatments

Corneal Cross-Linking: Riboflavin/UV-A corneal cross-linking for keratoconus can cause mild and transient adverse events like corneal haze and edema. Severe adverse events are rare and usually associated with corneal de-epithelialization5.

Learn more with Consensus:

 

---

How has Riboflavin Improved Patient Outcomes?

Cardiac Health and Transplantation

Riboflavin reduces oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury, improving graft survival and reducing coronary allograft vasculopathy in cardiac transplant models1.

Ocular Health

Riboflavin combined with UV-A irradiation (corneal cross-linking) effectively halts the progression of keratoconus, improving visual acuity and corneal stability2 4 8 9.

Enhanced riboflavin solutions with vitamin E show improved outcomes in corneal cross-linking procedures, providing better visual and topographic results2 4.

Migraine Management

Riboflavin significantly reduces headache frequency, intensity, and duration in pediatric migraine patients, also decreasing the need for acute medications3.

Hypertension Management

Riboflavin supplementation lowers blood pressure in patients with the MTHFR 677TT genotype, offering a targeted strategy for managing hypertension in this genetically at-risk group6.

Mitochondrial Disorders

Riboflavin improves mitochondrial complex I activity and survival rates in patients with ACAD9 deficiency, particularly in those with early-onset disease7.

Crohn’s Disease

Riboflavin supplementation reduces systemic oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, and improves clinical symptoms in patients with Crohn’s disease10.

Surgical Applications

Oral riboflavin enhances the visualization of ureteric jets during cystoscopy, aiding in the assessment of ureteral patency5.

 Learn more with Consensus:

 

---

Riboflavin Mechanisms of Action

Coenzyme Function and Energy Production

Riboflavin is a precursor for flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), which are essential coenzymes in electron transfer reactions involved in energy production, biosynthesis, detoxification, and electron scavenging pathways4 10.

Antitumoral and Apoptotic Mechanisms

Riboflavin, when irradiated, induces leukemia cell death through the activation of caspase 8, overexpression of Fas and FasL, and mitochondrial amplification mechanisms. This leads to the inhibition of survival mediators and upregulation of proapoptotic factors, selectively targeting leukemia cells without harming normal cells1.

Cardioprotective Effects

Riboflavin protects against myocardial injury by activating LSD1, which modulates phospholipid metabolism and histone methylation. This mechanism reduces apoptosis and improves cardiac function in myocardial infarction models2.

Anti-inflammatory Properties

Riboflavin inhibits the activation of various inflammasomes (NLRP3, NLRC4, AIM2) by disrupting caspase-1 activity and preventing mitochondrial perturbations. This results in reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and pyroptosis3.

Antioxidant and Anti-diabetic Effects

Riboflavin reduces oxidative stress and DNA damage in type-2 diabetic mice, enhancing glucose uptake and ameliorating tissue injury. This suggests its potential in reducing diabetic complications through its antioxidant properties4.

Absorption and Transport Mechanisms

Riboflavin absorption involves a saturable-active transport mechanism regulated by the Ca2+/calmodulin pathway, with potential involvement of a receptor-mediated endocytic component. This mechanism is crucial for fetal development and cellular maintenance5 9.

Photodynamic Antibacterial Activity

Under photoillumination, riboflavin generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that disrupt bacterial cell membranes, providing a mechanism for its antibacterial activity against nosocomial infections7.

Plant Defense Activation

In plants, riboflavin induces resistance against pathogens by priming the jasmonate-mediated phenylpropanoid pathway, enhancing lignification and activating defense responses8.

Learn more with Consensus:

 

---

Common Complaints Associated with Riboflavin Use

Neurological Symptoms

Riboflavin transporter deficiencies can present with neurological symptoms such as weakness, cranial nerve deficits (including hearing loss), sensory ataxia, and respiratory difficulties1 2.

Sudden-onset auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) has been reported in patients with riboflavin transporter deficiencies, leading to sudden loss of speech understanding2.

Sensory and Motor Issues

Patients with riboflavin transporter deficiencies often experience sensorimotor axonal neuropathy and cranial neuropathy, which can cause significant sensory and motor issues1.

Feeding and Respiratory Difficulties

Feeding difficulties and respiratory issues are common complaints due to the involvement of cranial nerves and sensorimotor axonal neuropathy1.

Hearing Loss

Fluctuating hearing loss is a notable complaint, and while some patients may use hearing aids, the benefit in speech understanding can be limited2.

General Multisystem Dysfunction

Impairment in riboflavin metabolism can lead to broader multisystem dysfunctions, including neuromuscular disorders, anemia, abnormal fetal development, and cardiovascular disease3.

Learn more with Consensus:

 

---

Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please seek immediate attention from a healthcare provider.