OXALURIC ACID Meaning and
Definition
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Oxaluric acid, also known as oxalylurea, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C4H4N2O4. It is a crystalline solid that is formed as an intermediate during the metabolism of uric acid in humans and other animals.
In the human body, oxaluric acid is produced when uric acid, a waste product of purine metabolism, is enzymatically converted to allantoin, which is further converted to oxaluric acid before being excreted in the urine. This conversion is primarily mediated by the enzyme urate oxidase.
Oxaluric acid is a weak acid and is primarily found in its salt form as a potassium or sodium salt, rather than in its free acid form. It has been employed in various chemical reactions and as a reagent in laboratory settings.
In terms of its physiological significance, oxaluric acid levels in urine may serve as an indicator for certain metabolic disorders, including xanthinuria, which is characterized by the inability to properly convert hypoxanthine to xanthine. Additionally, it has been found that individuals with oxaluric aciduria, a rare genetic disorder, may excrete excessive amounts of oxaluric acid in their urine, potentially leading to the formation of kidney stones composed of calcium oxalate.
Overall, oxaluric acid plays a role in the complex metabolic processes of the human body and has significance in both physiological and clinical contexts.
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An acid, C3H4N2O4, derived from uric acid or parabanic acid, occurring in the form of a light yellowish crystalline powder of acid taste.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for OXALURIC ACID
- oxaluic acid
- ixaluric acid
- kxaluric acid
- lxaluric acid
- pxaluric acid
- 0xaluric acid
- 9xaluric acid
- ozaluric acid
- ocaluric acid
- odaluric acid
- osaluric acid
- oxzluric acid
- oxsluric acid
- oxwluric acid
- oxqluric acid
- oxakuric acid
- oxapuric acid
- oxaouric acid
- oxalyric acid
- oxalhric acid
Etymology of OXALURIC ACID
The etymology of the word "oxaluric acid" can be broken down as follows:
1. Oxal-: This prefix originates from the Greek word "oxys" meaning "sharp" or "acid". It is commonly used in chemistry to indicate compounds containing the oxalyl group, which is derived from oxalic acid.
2. -uric: This suffix is derived from the Latin word "uricus", which refers to urine. It is used in chemistry to describe compounds that are related to or found in urine.
3. Acid: This term originates from the Latin word "acidus", meaning "sour" or "sharp". It is used to describe a substance that has a sour taste and can react with metals to form salts.
