METABOLIC ACTIVATION Meaning and
Definition
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Metabolic activation refers to the process by which a foreign chemical or compound undergoes enzymatic biotransformation in an organism's cells, resulting in the conversion of a relatively inert or non-toxic substance into a more reactive or toxic intermediate. This transformation typically occurs in the liver, but can also take place in other tissues.
The activation process is crucial in the body's defense against potentially harmful substances, as it enables the subsequent elimination of these substances through excretion or detoxification mechanisms. Enzymes involved in metabolic activation, such as cytochrome P450, flavin-containing monooxygenases, and peroxidases, catalyze the reactions that modify the chemical structure of the initially innocuous compound. These modifications often involve oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, or conjugation reactions.
Metabolic activation can result in the production of reactive intermediates that can interact with cellular macromolecules, such as DNA, proteins, and lipids, leading to cellular damage or initiating toxic responses. Additionally, these reactive intermediates can also act as important intermediaries in the biotransformation cascade, facilitating further detoxification reactions and the eventual elimination of the substance from the body.
While metabolic activation is an essential process for the body's metabolic machinery, it can also have adverse effects if the reactive intermediates formed are highly reactive or if the detoxification pathways are overwhelmed. In these cases, metabolic activation can contribute to the toxicity of certain chemicals, drugs, or environmental pollutants by inducing cellular damage, oxidative stress, or the formation of reactive metabolites that can bind irreversibly to cellular macromolecules.
Common Misspellings for METABOLIC ACTIVATION
- netabolic activation
- ketabolic activation
- jetabolic activation
- mwtabolic activation
- mstabolic activation
- mdtabolic activation
- mrtabolic activation
- m4tabolic activation
- m3tabolic activation
- merabolic activation
- mefabolic activation
- megabolic activation
- meyabolic activation
- me6abolic activation
- me5abolic activation
- metzbolic activation
- metsbolic activation
- metwbolic activation
- metqbolic activation
- metavolic activation
Etymology of METABOLIC ACTIVATION
The word "metabolic" originates from the Greek word "metabolē", which means "change" or "alteration". It is derived from the verb "metaballein", which translates to "to change" or "to turn". "Activation" comes from the Latin word "activatio", which is derived from the verb "activare" meaning "to make active" or "to put into action". Therefore, the term "metabolic activation" refers to the process of activating or initiating metabolic changes or transformations within an organism or system.
