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Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes

Meaning

Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes are a diverse and crucial group of biological catalysts, primarily localized in the liver, responsible for the biotransformation of both endogenous compounds and exogenous substances, known as xenobiotics, including therapeutic drugs. These enzymes chemically modify lipophilic compounds into more polar, water-soluble metabolites, thereby facilitating their excretion via the kidneys or bile. Their collective activity dictates the half-life, bioavailability, and potential toxicity of pharmaceuticals and circulating hormones in the systemic circulation.