5-benzylacyclouridine

5-Benzylacyclouridine is a small molecule and a potent, specific inhibitor of uridine phosphorylase, the first enzyme involved in the catabolism of uridine. By inhibiting this enzyme, it reduces the rapid clearance of uridine in biological systems and can increase circulating uridine levels. This inhibition has implications for modulating cytotoxic side effects of chemotherapeutic agents such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and its derivatives. It has been studied for its ability to reverse azidothymidine-induced marrow suppression without impairing anti-HIV activity. The compound belongs chemically to pyrimidones with a pyrimidine ring bearing ketone groups and features a benzyl group at position 5 and a hydroxyethoxymethyl substituent at position 1.

Other names

benzylacyclouridine5-benzyl-1-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)uracil