Posted by Ron Hill on May 23, 2003, at 1:10:23
In reply to Re: Quick question about niacin and niacinamide, posted by Larry Hoover on May 22, 2003, at 16:24:41
Interesting. Thank you very much Larry. This one has extra meat so I have to chew on it a bit longer than usual. I could probably chew faster if I had smoked a little less dope and attended organic a little more regularly back when I was a lad.
Thanks!
-- Ron
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> > I'm intrigued by the alternate names for niacin (i.e.; nicotinic acid) and niacinamide (i.e.; nicotinamide). Are these substances related to nicotine and/or do they interact with nicotine receptors in some fashion?> Yes, they are structurally related. All are based on pyridine rings, which is like a benzene ring, but with one nitrogen atom.
> In the meta position from that nitrogen, a carboxylic acid group makes it nicotinic acid. The amide of ammonia with the nicotinic acid is called nicotinamide. Substituting a pyrrhole ring (five carbon, with a nitrogen) for the carboxylic acid group, and adding a methyl group to the pyrrholic nitrogen, gives you nicotine. Nicotine can be oxidized to nicotinic acid, but I have no idea of the extent of that conversion in vivo.
> The so-called nicotinic receptor is sensitive to exogenous (from outside) substances, including nicotine. It's rather intellectually arrogant to call it a nicotinic receptor, just as it's arrogant to think of a benzodiazepine receptor. Anyway, the receptor is actually one for acetylcholine, generally an excitatory class, but there are inhibitory versions, too. It's simple to say that the nicotinic receptor is cholinergic.> It is my understanding that niacinamide has some affinity for the nicotinic receptor. You may recall that I suggested, in my response to John, that there are both sedative and excitatory effects from using niacinamide. In most people, the sedative effect is dominant. Individual brains may vary.
> Yer welcome.
> Lar
poster:Ron Hill
thread:223158
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030520/msgs/228506.html