What are some examples of metabolic pathways leading to toxic effects?
One classic example is the metabolism of acetaminophen, which produces a toxic metabolite called N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) when the primary metabolic pathway is saturated. Another example is methanol metabolism, where it is converted to formaldehyde and formic acid, leading to metabolic acidosis and visual impairment. These examples underscore the importance of metabolism in mediating toxic effects.