Xenobiotics in Hindi: Metabolism Quiz and Flashcards

Study Notes

Metabolism of Xenobiotics

Xenobiotics are foreign compounds like drugs, pollutants, food additives, cosmetics, pesticides, etc. that enter the body accidentally or intentionally.
These compounds may be absorbed from the GI tract and enter the organs and tissues of the body, and thus need to be removed quickly.

Detoxification (Biotransformation)

Detoxification is the process of converting foreign, toxic, and water-insoluble molecules into non-toxic, water-soluble, and excretable forms.
The purpose of detoxification is to increase the water solubility (polarity) and thus facilitate excretion from the body.
However, in some cases, detoxification reactions may increase the toxicity of a foreign compound, which is called entoxification.

Medical Importance of Detoxification

Detoxification reduces the level of toxins in the body, protecting the body and its organs from deleterious effects of toxins.
Reducing toxin levels in the body reduces the strain on the immune system.
Detoxification removes most of the drugs consumed from the body.

Methanol Toxicity

The metabolism of formic acid is slow, leading to accumulation in the body, which results in metabolic acidosis.
The major damage occurs to the optic nerve.
Ethanol is given as an antidote, as it is a substrate of ADH, which spares methanol.

Oxidation of Xenobiotics

Aldehydes are oxidized to corresponding acids.
Oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons forms phenolic compounds, which can further conjugate with glucuronic acid (or) sulfuric acid in phase II reactions.
Primary aliphatic amines undergo oxidation to form the corresponding acids and nitrogen is converted to urea.
Anilids are oxidized to corresponding phenols.
Sulfur compounds: Organic sulfur is oxidized to sulfuric acid.

Oxidation (Entoxification)

Oxidation of certain compounds may result in the production of more toxic compounds (entoxification).
Halogenated alcohols are oxidized to halogenated acids.
Ethylene glycol is oxidized to oxalic acid.

Cytochrome P450

Most oxidation reactions of detoxification are catalyzed by monooxygenase (or) cytochrome P450.
Cytochrome P450 is a hemoprotein, exhibiting broad substrate specificity and versatility as a catalyst.
It is located in the smooth ER of the liver and other tissues.
It is a NADPH-dependent enzyme, and the products of some reactions may be mutagenic or carcinogenic.
It is an inducible enzyme, and its synthesis is increased by administration of drugs such as phenobarbitol.

Reduction

Reduction is less common and less important than oxidation in human beings.
Examples of reduction reactions include the reduction of aldehydes and nitro compounds.

Hydroxylation

Detoxification of a number of drugs and steroids occurs by hydroxylation.
These reactions are catalyzed by cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases.

Hydrolysis

Certain therapeutic compounds undergo hydrolysis, including ester, glycoside, and amide bonds.
Examples of compounds undergoing hydrolysis include aromatic acids, phenols, secondary and tertiary aliphatic alcohols, antibiotics, hormones, and carcinogens.

Conjugation with Bilirubin

Most of the bilirubin excreted in the bile is in the form of bilirubin diglucuronide.
Bilirubin-UGT activity can be induced by certain drugs, which increases the formation of glucuronide.

Sulfation

Compounds conjugated with sulfate include phenols, cresols, indole, steroids, oestrogen, and androgen.
The active form of sulfate is 3’phosphoadenosine 5’phosphosulfate (PAPS), which is involved in conjugation reactions catalyzed by sulfotransferase.

Acetylation

Compounds conjugated with acetic acid include sulphanilamide, PABA, and isoniazid.
Acetyl coA is the active form of acetic acid, and the reactions are catalyzed by acetyl transferase in the cytosol of various tissues, particularly the liver.

Description

This quiz covers the introduction to the metabolism of xenobiotics, which are foreign compounds encountered by human beings through various sources like drugs, pollutants, and food additives. Understand the process of absorption and circulation of xenobiotics in the body.