The word "Alloxantin" is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet as əˈlɒksəntɪn. The first syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, followed by a stress on the second syllable. The "x" represents a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the "ch" sound in loch. The final syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, followed by a nasal "n" sound. Alloxantin is a chemical compound that has antioxidant properties and is found in some plants and fungi.
Alloxantin is a noun that refers to a chemical compound with the molecular formula C4H2N2O4S2. It is derived from uric acid and is primarily known for its ability to induce diabetes in laboratory animals.
This chemical compound is commonly used in scientific experiments to study the effects of diabetes and to assess the efficacy of various anti-diabetic drugs. Alloxantin is particularly valued for its ability to selectively destroy insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. By targeting these cells, it can induce a state similar to type 1 diabetes, characterized by insufficient insulin production and elevated blood glucose levels.
Furthermore, alloxantin is frequently employed to induce diabetes in animal models for research purposes. By administering it to animals such as rats or mice, scientists can mimic certain aspects of diabetes in a controlled environment. This allows them to study the pathogenesis of the disease, evaluate new therapeutic approaches, and test the effectiveness of potential treatments.
In summary, alloxantin is a chemical compound derived from uric acid that is commonly used in laboratory settings to induce diabetes in animals or examine the effects of diabetes on various organisms. Its ability to selectively destroy insulin-producing cells makes it a valuable tool for studying diabetes and evaluating potential treatments for the disease.
A derivative of alloxan, formed in the presence of reducing agents.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "Alloxantin" is derived from a combination of two distinct terms: "alloxan" and "xanthine".
The term "alloxan" stems from the chemical compound it represents. Alloxan is an organic compound first discovered in 1818, which is synthesized from uric acid. It is primarily known for its ability to induce diabetes in animals by destroying pancreatic beta cells, resulting in insulin deficiency.
The second part of the word's etymology, "xanthine", refers to a natural compound found in various biological tissues, such as muscles and the liver. Xanthine is a purine base, a group of chemicals that serve as the building blocks of DNA and RNA. It is also a precursor to uric acid, caffeine, and various other compounds.