Alternative spelling of xanthine

(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.

plural of xanthin

plural of xanthine

Of or relating to xanthine.

(biochemistry) A crystallizable flavoprotein enzyme containing iron and molybdenum that promotes the oxidation especially of hypoxanthine and xanthine to uric acid and of many aldehydes to carboxylic acids and that is obtained usually from milk or liver.

plural of xanthine oxidase

An abnormally high level of xanthine in one's urine. / The genetic disorder that causes this.

A drug prepared from theophylline, used as a vasodilator.

(obsolete, organic chemistry) A poorly-characterised material, related to urea and uric acid, that forms yellow salts, and exhibits a blue fluorescence