Amines

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Amines Amides

• Dr. Michael P. Gillespie

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Introduction

• Amines and Amides contain nitrogen.
• Nitrogen is an important component in the
  structure of the nucleic acids DNA and RNA.
• Amines are characterized by the presence of an
  amino group (-NH2).
• Histamine contributes to the inflammatory
  response.

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Introduction

• Amides are the products of a reaction between an
  amine and a carboxylic acid derivative.
• Amino acids are the subunits from which proteins
  are built. They are characterized by both an
  amino group and a carboxyl group.

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Amines Structure Properties

• Amines are a family of compounds that are contain
  an amino group or substituted amino group.

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Amines
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Medically Important Amines

• Amphetamines, such as benzedrine and methedrine,
  stimulate the central nervous system. They
  elevate blood pressure and pulse rate and are
  often used to treat fatigue.
• Medically, they have been used to treat
  depression and epilepsy.
• Amphetamines decrease the appetite and have been
  prescribed as diet pills.

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Medically Important Amines

• Many of the medical amines are analgesics (pain
  relievers) or anesthetics (pain blockers).
• Novacaine is used as a local anesthetic.
• Demerol is a very strong pain reliever.
• Ephedrine is used as a decongestant.
• Sulfa drugs used to fight bacterial infections
  are made from amines.

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Methamphetamine

• Methamphetamine is an addictive drug known by
  many names such as speed, crystal, crank,
  ice, and glass.
• Ephedrine, which is used as a nasal decongestant,
  can be used as the starting material for
  methamphetamine.
• Methamphetamine can be smoked, taken orally,
  snorted, or injected depending upon the form of
  the drug.
• It stimulates the release of dopamine and
  norepinephrine into regions of the brain that
  control feelings of pleasure.

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Methamphetamine

• Symptoms of long-term abuse include addiction,
  anxiety, violent behavior, confusion, psychotic
  symptoms of paranoia, hallucinations, and
  delusions.
• In severe cases paranoia results in homicidal and
  / or suicidal feelings.
• Elevated heart rate and blood pressure can lead
  to strokes.
• In severe cases, cardiovascular collapse and
  death result.

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Heterocyclic Amines

• Heterocyclic amines are cyclic compounds that
  have at least one nitrogen atom in the ring
  structure.

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Amides Structure Properties

• Amides are formed in a reaction between a
  carboxylic acid derivative and an amine.
• The amine bond is the bond between the carbonyl
  carbon of the acyl group and the nitrogen of the
  amine.

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Amides
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Medically Important Amides

• Barbiturates (downers) are derived from amides
  and are used as sedatives.
• Acetaminophen is an amide.

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Neurotransmitters

• Neurotransmitters are chemicals that carry
  signals from a nerve cell to a target cell.
• The signals can be inhibitory or excitatory and
  they are all nitrogen containing compounds.

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Catecholamines

• The catecholamines include dopamine,
  norepinephrine, and epinephrine.
• Too little dopamine produces Parkinsons disease.
• Too much dopamine is associated with
  schizophrenia.

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Serotonin

• A deficiency of serotonin is associated with
  depression and eating disorders.
• Serotonin is also involved in pain perception,
  regulation of body temperature, and sleep.

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Histamine

• Histamine contributes to allergy symptoms.

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?-Aminobutyric Acid Glycine

• ?-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Glycine are
  inhibitory neurotransmitters.
• It is believed that GABA is involved in control
  of aggressive behaviors.

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Acetylcholine

• Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that
  functions at the neuromuscular junction.
• It carries signals from the nerve to the muscle.

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Nitric Oxide Glutamate

• Nitric oxide and glutamate function in a positive
  feedback loop.
• They are thought o be involved in learning and
  the formation of memories.