Cystamine dihydrochloride acts as an anti-infective agent, which is used in the treatment of urinary tract infections. It is also used as a radiation-protective agent that interferes with sulfhydryl enzymes. Further, it serves as a heparin antagonist and sulfhydryl modifying reagent. In addition to this, it is used as an inhibitor of TGase.
Safety Profile
A poison by
subcutaneous and intraperitoneal routes.
Experimental reproductive effects. When
heated to decomposition it emits very toxic
fumes of HCl, SOx, and NOx. See also
SULFIDES.
Purification Methods
Recrystallise the salt by dissolving in EtOH containing a few drops of dry EtOH/HCl, filtering and adding dry Et2O. The solid is dried in a vacuum and stored in a dry and dark atmosphere. It has been recrystallised from EtOH (solubility: 1g in 60mL of boiling EtOH) or MeOH (plates). The free base has b 90-Purification of Biochemicals — Amino Acids and Peptides 100o/0.001mm, 106-108o/5mm and 135-136o/760mm, d 4 1.1559, n D 1.5720. [Verly & Koch Biochem J 58 663 1954, Gonick et al. J Am Chem Soc 76 4671 1954, Jackson & Block J Biol Chem 113 137 1936.] The dihydrobromide has m 238-239o (from EtOH/Et2O) [Viscontini Helv Chim Acta 36 835 1953]. [Beilstein 4 H 287, 4 IV 1578.]
