purine
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(pū′rēn″)

[L. purum, pure, + uricus, uric acid]
The parent compound of nitrogenous bases, including adenine, guanine, xanthine, caffeine, and uric acid. Purines (chemical formula C5H4N4) are the end products of nucleoprotein digestion, and are catabolized to uric acid, which is excreted by the kidneys. Adenine and guanine are synthesized within cells for incorporation into DNA and RNA.
SEE: aminopurine; SEE: oxypurine; SEE: methyl purine
Purines in Food
Group A: High Concentration | |
(150-1000 mg/100 g) | |
Liver | Sardines (in oil) |
Kidney | Meat extracts |
Sweetbreads | Consommé |
Brains | Gravies |
Heart | Fish roes |
Anchovies | Herring |
Group B: Moderate Amounts | |
(50-150 mg/100 g) | |
Meat, game, and fish other than those mentioned in Group A | |
Fowl | Asparagus |
Lentils | Cauliflower |
Whole-grain cereals | Mushrooms |
Beans | Spinach |
Peas | |
Group C: Very Small Amounts: Need Not be Restricted in Diet of Persons with Gout | |
Vegetables other than those mentioned above | |
Fruits of all kinds | Coffee |
Milk | Tea |
Cheese | Chocolate |
Eggs | Carbonated beverages |
Refined cereals, spaghetti, macaroni | Tapioca |
Butter, fats, nuts, peanut butter* | |
Sugars and sweets | |
Vegetable soups |
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(pū′rēn″)

[L. purum, pure, + uricus, uric acid]
The parent compound of nitrogenous bases, including adenine, guanine, xanthine, caffeine, and uric acid. Purines (chemical formula C5H4N4) are the end products of nucleoprotein digestion, and are catabolized to uric acid, which is excreted by the kidneys. Adenine and guanine are synthesized within cells for incorporation into DNA and RNA.
SEE: aminopurine; SEE: oxypurine; SEE: methyl purine
Purines in Food
Group A: High Concentration | |
(150-1000 mg/100 g) | |
Liver | Sardines (in oil) |
Kidney | Meat extracts |
Sweetbreads | Consommé |
Brains | Gravies |
Heart | Fish roes |
Anchovies | Herring |
Group B: Moderate Amounts | |
(50-150 mg/100 g) | |
Meat, game, and fish other than those mentioned in Group A | |
Fowl | Asparagus |
Lentils | Cauliflower |
Whole-grain cereals | Mushrooms |
Beans | Spinach |
Peas | |
Group C: Very Small Amounts: Need Not be Restricted in Diet of Persons with Gout | |
Vegetables other than those mentioned above | |
Fruits of all kinds | Coffee |
Milk | Tea |
Cheese | Chocolate |
Eggs | Carbonated beverages |
Refined cereals, spaghetti, macaroni | Tapioca |
Butter, fats, nuts, peanut butter* | |
Sugars and sweets | |
Vegetable soups |
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