Metabolism may create a toxic byproduct - this is the case with paracetamol and aflatoxin poisonings, or may reduce the toxicity of a substance e.g. Ivermectin metabolites demonstrate reduced toxicity. Alternatively, metabolism may make little difference to the toxic affects of a substance so this effect is specific to individual substances and drugs. Commonly, sites that undergo metabolism (usually ones that express cytochrome P450) are the targets of toxic effects - the liver is the main organ of metabolism, but the kidneys, lungs, nasal epithelium, eyes and GI tract are also targeted because of cytochrome P450 activity. | Metabolism may create a toxic byproduct - this is the case with paracetamol and aflatoxin poisonings, or may reduce the toxicity of a substance e.g. Ivermectin metabolites demonstrate reduced toxicity. Alternatively, metabolism may make little difference to the toxic affects of a substance so this effect is specific to individual substances and drugs. Commonly, sites that undergo metabolism (usually ones that express cytochrome P450) are the targets of toxic effects - the liver is the main organ of metabolism, but the kidneys, lungs, nasal epithelium, eyes and GI tract are also targeted because of cytochrome P450 activity. |