Skip to main content

Glucuronide Conjugates

Meaning

Glucuronide conjugates are water-soluble compounds formed when the body covalently links a glucuronic acid molecule to a fat-soluble substance, such as steroid hormones, drugs, or toxins, as part of the Phase II detoxification and clearance process. This essential metabolic modification transforms the lipophilic substance into an inactive, highly hydrophilic metabolite. The conjugation process is vital for ensuring the efficient excretion of these compounds via the bile or urine, thereby preventing their reabsorption and maintaining hormonal homeostasis.