In this article, we will discuss Uridine Triacetate (Mechanism of Action). So, let’s get started.
Mechanism of Action
Uridine triacetate is an acetylated pro-drug of uridine. Following oral administration, uridine triacetate is deacetylated by nonspecific esterases present throughout the body, yielding uridine in the circulation.
Uridine competitively inhibits cell damage and cell death caused by fluorouracil.
Fluorouracil is a cytotoxic antimetabolite that interferes with nucleic acid metabolism in normal and cancer cells. Cells anabolize fluorouracil to the cytotoxic intermediates 5-fluoro-2’-deoxyuridine-5’-monophosphate (FdUMP) and 5-fluorouridine triphosphate (FUTP). FdUMP inhibits thymidylate
synthase, blocking thymidine synthesis. Thymidine is required for DNA replication and repair. Uridine is not found in DNA.
The second source of fluorouracil cytotoxicity is the incorporation of its metabolite, FUTP, into RNA. This incorporation of FUTP into RNA is proportional to systemic fluorouracil exposure. Excess circulating uridine derived from VISTOGARD is converted into uridine triphosphate (UTP), which competes with FUTP for incorporation into RNA.