Definition for Methylxanthine
From Biology Forums Dictionary
Methylated xanthines (methylxanthines), which include caffeine, aminophylline, IBMX, paraxanthine, pentoxifylline, theobromine, and theophylline, affect not only the airways but stimulate heart rate, force of contraction, cardiac arrhythmias at high concentrations. In the CNS they increase alertness, stimulate the respiratory centre, and are used for treatment of infantile apnea. In high doses they can lead to convulsions that are resistant to anticonvulsants. Methylxanthines induce acid and pepsin secretions in the GI tract. Methylxanthines are metabolized by cytochrome P450 in the liver.