Amine

A class of chemical compounds based upon ammonia where one or more hydrogen molecule(s) is replaced with an organic group.  These compounds are common in a human’s physiologic system.

There are amines that mimic the actions of the sympathetic nervous system – sympathomimetic amines.  There are amines that cause vasodilation and increase the permeability (leakiness) of small vessels – vasoactive amines. These include histamine and serotonin.

The amines can be classified by chemical composition.  When one hydrogen molecule is replace the resulting compound is a primary amine. When to of the hydrogen molecules are replaced it is a secondary amine.  When three are replaced it it’s a tertiary amine.  When four are replaced it is a quaternary amine.