Skip to main content

Conjugation Reactions

Meaning

Conjugation reactions are a critical set of Phase II biotransformation processes within the liver and other tissues, essential for the detoxification and excretion of hormones, drugs, and xenobiotics. These reactions involve the covalent attachment of a polar, water-soluble molecule, such as glucuronic acid or sulfate, to a lipophilic substrate like a steroid hormone metabolite. This attachment significantly increases the molecule’s hydrophilicity, effectively marking it for rapid elimination via the bile or urine. They represent a key regulatory step in maintaining hormonal homeostasis and preventing the accumulation of active or toxic metabolites.