NCIt definition : A purine-based organic compound in human muscle tissues, Hypoxanthine is formed during
purine catabolism as a product of xanthine oxidase action on xanthine, and occasionally
is found as a constituent of nucleic acids. The potent anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective
effects of purines may be mediated by cell surface adenosine receptors. Hypoxanthine
protects against oxidant-induced cell injury by inhibiting activation of nuclear poly(ADP-ribose)
polymerase (PARP). (NCI04);