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Hepatic Xenobiotic Metabolism

Meaning

Hepatic Xenobiotic Metabolism refers to the liver’s intricate, multi-phase biochemical process for detoxifying and eliminating foreign chemical compounds, known as xenobiotics, which include drugs, environmental pollutants, and industrial chemicals. This essential metabolic pathway involves two main sequential phases, Phase I and Phase II, which work together to convert lipid-soluble toxins into more water-soluble, excretable forms. Effective xenobiotic metabolism is crucial for maintaining hormonal balance, as the liver must also process and clear endogenous steroid hormones like estrogen. Impairment in this system can lead to the accumulation of harmful compounds and subsequent endocrine imbalance.