The formation of toxic metabolites often occurs through enzymatic activity, primarily in the liver. For example, the cytochrome P450 enzyme system plays a crucial role in the biotransformation of many xenobiotics. During this process, sometimes the intermediate metabolites produced are more toxic than the original compound. For instance, the metabolism of acetaminophen can produce a reactive intermediate called N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), which can cause liver damage if not detoxified.
