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Phase I Metabolism

Meaning

Phase I metabolism is the initial set of biochemical reactions, primarily catalyzed by the Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzyme system in the liver, that chemically modifies lipid-soluble compounds, including steroid hormones and various toxins. This phase introduces or exposes a polar functional group to the molecule through oxidation, reduction, or hydrolysis. The goal is to make the molecule more water-soluble and prepare it for the subsequent conjugation reactions of Phase II.