Inositol

Inositol, or cis-1,2,3,5-trans-4,6-cyclohexanehexol, is a cyclic polyalcohol that plays an important role as a second messengerin a cell, in the form of inositol phosphates. It is found in many foods, namely cerealswith high brancontent.

It is involved in :

• cytoskeletonassembly
• nerve guidance (Epsin)
• controlling intracellularcalcium(Ca²⁺) concentration
• maintaining membrane potentialof the cell.

It is also involved in the breakdown of fatsand reducing blood cholesterol.

Inositol phosphates are involved in gene expression(Wu 2003 and OShea 2003 both in Science).

Some preliminary results of studies on inositol supplements show promising results for people suffering from problems such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia, panic disorderand bipolar depression.

It is used as a component of Rockstar energy drink. However, several studies show that it has no effect at all.

The chemical formula of inositol is C{{{else{{{test|}}}|{{{test{{{test|}}}|{{{then|}}}}}}}}}}|then=_{{{1}}}}}₆H{{{else{{{test|}}}|{{{test{{{test|}}}|{{{then|}}}}}}}}}}|then=_{{{1}}}}}₁₂O{{{else{{{test|}}}|{{{test{{{test|}}}|{{{then|}}}}}}}}}}|then=_{{{1}}}|}}₆. There are 9 isomers, all of which are called inositol. The inositol ring is in the chair conformation. The 1^st, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th hydroxylsare positioned equatoriallyto the plane of the ring, while the 2^nd hydroxyl group is positioned axiallyto the plane of the ring.

It is classified as a member of the vitamin Bcomplex, though it is not considered a vitaminper se, since the human body can synthetize it.

Medical uses

Inositol has been found in double-blind studies to be an effective treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is equal in effectiveness to SSRI'sand is virtually free from side effects ^[1].

Illicit uses

• Inositol powder can be used in small proportions to cut CocaineHCL or Methamphetamine(Crystal Meth). It has an almost identical appearance when in powder form and portrays similar qualities when heated. This, in addition to the fact that it adds almost no discernable taste or feel to either drug regardless the method of use, makes it an ideal cutting agent. Cutting either drug at any point in the distribution increases volume of the street product and increases dealer profits. However, at higher cut levels the inositol becomes somewhat noticable in that the quality of the product is obviously diminished.

See also

• myo-inositol(inositol monophosphate).
• inositol triphosphate
• inositol pentakisphosphate
• inositol hexaphosphate
• inositol triphosphate receptor

References

1. Double-blind, controlled, crossover trial of inositol versus fluvoxamine for the treatment of panic disorder. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2001 Jun; 21(3): 335-9 Abstract

fr: inositol

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inositol Wikipedia article Inositol.