xanthine

[ zan-theen, -thin ]

noun

, Biochemistry, Chemistry.

1. a crystalline, nitrogenous compound, C 5 H 4 N 4 O 2 , related to uric acid, occurring in urine, blood, and certain animal and vegetable tissues.
2. any derivative of this compound.

xanthine

/ ˈzænθiːn; -θaɪn /

noun

1. a crystalline compound related in structure to uric acid and found in urine, blood, certain plants, and certain animal tissues. Formula: C 5 H 4 N 4 O 2
2. any substituted derivative of xanthine, esp one of the three pharmacologically active methylated xanthines, caffeine, theophylline, or theobromine, which act as stimulants and diuretics

xanthine

/ zăn′thēn′,-thĭn /

1. Any of various purines having two oxygen atoms attached to the six-member ring of carbon and nitrogen atoms. Xanthines include caffeine, theophylline (a toxic alkaloid found in tea leaves), and theobromine (a toxic alkaloid found in cocoa).
2. The simplest of this class of compounds, forming yellowish-white crystals. It is produced in the body as an intermediate stage in the breakdown of purines to uric acid. It is also found in blood and in certain plants. Chemical formula: C 5 H 4 N 4 O 2 .
3. Any of several derivatives of this compound.

Word History and Origins

Origin of xanthine¹

From French, dating back to 1855–60; xantho-, -ine ²

Example Sentences

This was to test whether the transfer had worked, because the transplanted biochemical pathway turns caffeine into xanthine, a molecule can make into guanine without the missing gene.

From Economist

Patients who experience frequent attacks may require continuing treatment with urate-lowering drugs called xanthine oxidase inhibitors, like allopurinol and febuxostat, which reduce the amount of uric acid the body produces.

From New York Times

In 1881-1882 he published papers which established the formulae of uric acid, xanthine, caffeine, theobromine and some other compounds of this group.

From Project Gutenberg

The conventional treatments include the drugs allopurinol and febuxostat, both of which inhibit the enzyme xanthine oxidase, which produces uric acid from DNA in food.

From Seattle Times

To obtain the xanthine we treat the petals of yellow flowering dahlias with alcohol, which quickly dissolves the yellow coloring matter, besides the fat and resin.

From Project Gutenberg