7-Methylxanthine is an adenosine A1 receptor antagonist and active metabolite of theobromine and caffeine .1,2 It inhibits binding of the adenosine A1 receptor agonist cyclohexyladenosine in rat cerebral cortical membranes in a concentration-dependent manner.2 7-Methylxanthine (300 mg/kg) inhibits eye elongation and reduces decreases in the diameter of scleral collagen fibrils in a guinea pig model of form-deprivation myopia.3
1.Cornish, H.H., and Christman, A.A.A study of the metabolism of theobromine, theophylline, and caffeine in manJ. Biol. Chem.228(1)315-323(1957) 2.Daly, J.W., Butts-Lamb, P., and Padgett, W.Subclasses of adenosine receptors in the central nervous system: Interaction with caffeine and related methylxanthinesCell. Mol. Neurobiol.3(1)69-80(1983) 3.Cui, D., Trier, K., Zeng, J., et al.Effects of 7-methylxanthine on the sclera in form deprivation myopia in guinea pigsActa. Ophthalmol.89(4)328-334(2011)