Lexic.us

Definition of Xanthine

1. Noun. Crystalline oxidation product of the metabolism of nucleoproteins; precursor of uric acid; found in many organs and in urine.

Definition of Xanthine

1. n. A white microcrystalline nitrogenous compound, C₅H₄O₂N₄, present in muscle tissue, in the liver, spleen, pancreas, and other organs, and also in urine (in small quantities) and some urinary calculi, and in the juices of certain plants; -- so called because it leaves a yellow residue when evaporated to dryness with nitric acid. Xanthine is closely related to uric acid.

2. n. A white microcrystalline nitrogenous compound, C₅H₄O₂N₄, present in muscle tissue, in the liver, spleen, pancreas, and other organs, and also in urine (in small quantities) and some urinary calculi, and in the juices of certain plants; -- so called because it leaves a yellow residue when evaporated to dryness with nitric acid. Xanthine is closely related to uric acid.

Definition of Xanthine

1. Noun. (chemistry) Any of a group of alkaloids, that include caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine as well as the parent compound, a precursor of uric acid found in many organs of the body. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Xanthine

1. a chemical compound [n -S]

Medical Definition of Xanthine

1. A purine, the starting point for purine degradation. Its methylated derivatives (theophylline, theobromine, caffeine) are potent cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors. This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology (11 Mar 2008)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Xanthine

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