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Phase I Detoxification

Meaning

Phase I detoxification, also known as functionalization, represents the initial stage of the body’s biotransformation process, primarily converting lipophilic compounds into more polar, often reactive, intermediates. This crucial enzymatic process, largely driven by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) superfamily of enzymes, prepares substances for subsequent Phase II conjugation reactions. It involves chemical reactions such as oxidation, reduction, and hydrolysis, aiming to expose or add functional groups like hydroxyl or carboxyl groups to a wide array of endogenous and exogenous compounds.