Caffeines Mechanism of Action In Energy Drinks Free Essay Example, 1500 words

Caffeine can also be absorbed rectally and there are drugs designed to utilize this fact (ergotamine and chlorobutanol). The half-life of caffeine is about 3 to 4 hours but may vary depending on the health status of the individual; the factors that affect this include age, pregnancy, liver function and other medications a person might be taking. Since caffeine is metabolized in the liver, liver disease can result in accumulation of caffeine hence elevating the half-life to up to 96 hours(Craig Stitzel 2008, 229). Caffeine s Mechanism of ActionCaffeine is among the few compounds that can cross the blood-brain barrier into the brain. The mode of action once in the brain is inhibition of the functions of adenosine; hence it s referred to as an adenosine antagonist (Latini Pedata 2001, 466). Its structure is similar to that of adenosine and therefore it binds to same receptors as adenosine and as a result, blocks adenosine from occupying the receptors, consequently, adenosine is not a ble to act, it is therefore called a competitive inhibitor for this reason. Adenosine is found in all the body part due to its function in energy generation in the ATP cycle (Adenosine Tri-phosphate cycle) but in the brain it has a special function to suppress neural activity and increase blood flow, Caffeine does not activate these receptors and therefore inhibits these functions (Craig Stitzel 2008, 212). We will write a custom essay sample on Caffeines Mechanism of Action In Energy Drinks or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page