Why are Toxic Metabolites Important in Toxicology?
Toxic metabolites are significant because they can be the actual agents causing toxicity, rather than the parent compound. Understanding these metabolites helps in predicting and preventing adverse effects, designing safer drugs, and treating poisonings effectively. For example, the toxic effects of methanol are primarily due to its metabolite, formaldehyde, and formic acid, which can cause metabolic acidosis and blindness.
