What Role Does Polarity Play in Drug and Toxin Metabolism?
Polarity is a key factor in the metabolism of drugs and toxicants. The body's metabolic processes often aim to increase a substance's polarity to enhance its solubility in water, facilitating its excretion. This is typically achieved through phase I and phase II metabolic reactions in the liver. Phase I reactions involve the introduction of polar groups through oxidation, reduction, or hydrolysis, while phase II reactions involve conjugation with polar molecules like glucuronic acid.
