An oxidation product of uric acid, 2,4,5,6-pyrimidinetetrone; administration to experimental animals causes hypoglycemia due to insulin liberation, followed by hyperglycemia due to destruction of the islets of Langerhans (a. diabetes).
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al·lox·an ə-'läk-sən n a crystalline compound C4H2N2O4 causing diabetes mellitus when injected into experimental animals also one of its similarly acting derivatives called also mesoxalylurea
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al·lox·an (ə-lokґsan) an oxidized product of uric acid that, when administered to experimental animals, tends to destroy the islet cells of the pancreas, producing alloxan diabetes. Called also uroxin.Medical dictionary. 2011.