Description
Paraxanthine is an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 9 (PDE9) and an antagonist of adenosine receptors A
1 and A
2 (K
is = 35 and 22 μM, respectively in equine forebrain tissues). It is the main metabolite of caffeine in humans, making up 80% of the three dimethylxanthine metabolites produced by caffeine demethylation. Paraxanthine increases locomotor activity and counteracts adenosine receptor agonist-induced motor depression in rats not habituated to caffeine. At a dose of 30 mg/kg, paraxanthine induces a significant increase in striatal cGMP and extracellular striatal dopamine concentrations
in vivo. It also promotes wakefulness and increases locomotor activity and core temperature in narcoleptic transgenic mice without increasing behavioral anxiety.
Chemical Properties
Off-White to Pale Yellow Solid
Uses
adenosine receptor agonist, CNS stimulant
Uses
Paraxanthine is an adenosine receptor ligand and a major metabolite of caffeine.This compound is a contaminant of emerging concern (CECs).
Uses
1,7-Dimethylxanthine has been used for the quantification of caffeine by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Definition
ChEBI: 1,7-dimethylxanthine is a dimethylxanthine having the two methyl groups located at positions 1 and 7. It is a metabolite of caffeine and theobromine in animals. It has a role as a central nervous system stimulant, a human xenobiotic metabolite, a human blood serum metabolite and a mouse metabolite.
General Description
Paraxanthine is a major plasma and urinary metabolite of caffeine. This xanthine derivative is, along with caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant. This Snap-N-Spike
? reference solution is applicable for caffeine quantitation in clinical toxicology or urine drug testing by LC-MS/MS or GC/MS.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Adenosine receptor ligand; major metabolite of caffeine
Safety Profile
An experimental teratogen. Mutation data reported. Whenheated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx.