What Are the Implications of Hydroxylation in Toxicity?
Hydroxylation can either detoxify or toxify a substance. For example, hydroxylation of benzene forms phenol, which is more water-soluble and can be further metabolized and excreted. However, hydroxylation of some substances can lead to the formation of reactive intermediates that can bind to cellular macromolecules, causing toxicity. An example is the hydroxylation of acetaminophen to form N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), a reactive metabolite that can cause liver damage when detoxification pathways are overwhelmed.
