Mechanisms of Drug Biotransformation

The chemical changes that occur during drug metabolism are usually caused by oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, or conjugation of the original compound.28,52 60 Examples of each type of reaction are listed in Table 3-1. Each type of reaction and the location of the enzymes catalyzing the reaction are also discussed here. 

Parent drug compounds are represented by the letter R. Examples are types of drugs that undergo biotransformation via the respective type of chemical reaction. 

Reduction. Reduction reactions consist of removing oxygen or adding hydrogen to the original 

Hydrolysis. The original compound is broken into separate parts. The enzymes responsible 

FIGURE 3-1 T Drug oxidation catalyzed by drug microsomal metabolizing system [DMMS] enzymes. 

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M.R. Juchau, Mechanisms of drug biotransformation reactions in the placenta. Fed. Proc. 31 48-51, 1972. 

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