pu·rine

(pyo͝or′ēn′)

1. A double-ringed, crystalline organic base, C₅H₄N₄, that is the parent compound of a large group of biologically important compounds.

2. Any of a group of substituted derivatives of purine, including the nitrogen bases adenine and guanine, which are components of nucleic acids. Uric acid, caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline are also purines.

[German Purin : blend of Latin pūrus, clean; see pure, and New Latin ūricus, uric (from Greek ouron, urine) + -in, -in, -ine.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

purine

(ˈpjʊəriːn) or

purin

1. (Elements & Compounds) a colourless crystalline solid that can be prepared from uric acid. Formula: C5H4N4

2. (Elements & Compounds) Also called: purine base any of a number of nitrogenous bases, such as guanine and adenine, that are derivatives of purine and constituents of nucleic acids and certain coenzymes

[C19: from German Purin; see pure, uric, -ine²]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

pu•rine

(ˈpyʊər in, -ɪn)

n.

1. a white, crystalline compound, C₅H₄N₄, from which is derived a group of compounds including uric acid, xanthine, and caffeine.

2. one of several purine derivatives, esp. the bases adenine and guanine, which are fundamental constituents of nucleic acids.

[1895–1900; < German Purin. See pure, uric, -ine²]

pu·rine

(pyo͝or′ēn′)

Any of a group of organic compounds containing two rings of alternating carbon and nitrogen atoms. Purines include caffeine and uric acid, as well as the two bases adenine and guanine, which are components of DNA and RNA.

The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun	1.	purine - any of several bases that are derivatives of purine alkali, base - any of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water; "bases include oxides and hydroxides of metals and ammonia" adenine, A - (biochemistry) purine base found in DNA and RNA; pairs with thymine in DNA and with uracil in RNA guanine, G - a purine base found in DNA and RNA; pairs with cytosine
	2.	purine - a colorless crystalline organic base containing nitrogen; the parent compound of various biologically important substances alkali, base - any of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water; "bases include oxides and hydroxides of metals and ammonia"

Translations

purine

purine

n purina

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

What is notable about dairy products, however, is that they are extremely low in purines; in contrast, the soy protein control used in the study was actually high in purine impurities.

Update on the management of hyperuricemia and gout

Electrophysiological recordings from KD-fed rats demonstrated changes in synaptic transmission as well as the influence of purines on synaptic transmission that were consistent with the alterations in adenylate energy charge and purine metabolism observed neurochemically.

Ketogenic diet's effects on levels of energetic brain metabolites in rat

Uric acid occurs as a normal byproduct of purines, compounds found naturally in high-protein foods.

International study backs diet for treating gout

where X: amount of microbial purines absorbed (mmol/day), 0.15: factor which corrects for the contribution of endogenous purines, Y: purine derivatives excreted (mmol/day), and [BW.sup.075]: metabolic body weight

Dry matter intake, rumen fermentation and microbial nitrogen supply in Pelibuey sheep fed low-quality rations and different levels of corn oil

You need to follow a very low-acid diet, avoiding foods that contain purines that can then be converted into uric acid.

What's the alternative? Dee Atkinson of Napiers Herbalists gives the alternative solution

Those with gout are to avoid a diet high in purines and protein, and the new South Beach Diet exhorts us to rely on the right carbs and fats so as to reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Demands on religious leaders today

And since uric acid is a metabolic product of purines, a dietary control of these compounds is essential.

Kidney stones

The high level of purines - a chemical that converts into uric acid - in beer could be the cause.

Dr Miriam: Pain put to the acid test HEALTH FOCUS: GOUT

Certain foods and beverages contain compounds called purines that break down in the body to form the uric acid that causes gout.

Preventing bouts of gout

Do peas and carrots have too many purines? I drink orange juice and cranapple juices.

Preventing Bouts of Gout

(Purines are part of DNA; some come from food, while others are made by the body.) But researchers had never before tracked healthy men to see who would develop the disease over time.

Out with gout