The Detoxification Enzyme Systems by DeAnn

The human body is exposed to a wide array of xenobiotics in one’s lifetime, from food components to environmental toxins to pharmaceuticals, and has developed complex enzymatic mechanisms to detoxify these substances. These mechanisms exhibit significant individual variability, and are affected by environment, lifestyle, and genetic influences. The scientific literature suggests an association between impaired detoxification and certain diseases, including cancer, Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue/immune dysfunction syndrome. Data regarding these hepatic detoxification enzyme systems and the body’s mechanisms of regulating them suggests the ability to efficiently detoxify and remove xenobiotics can affect these and other chronic disease processes. This article reviews the myriad detoxification enzyme systems; their regulatory mechanisms; and the dietary, lifestyle, and genetic factors influencing their activities; as well as laboratory tests available to assess their functioning. (Altern Med Rev 1998;3(3):187-198) Introduction We are exposed to a great number of xenobiotics during the course of our lifetime, including a variety of pharmaceuticals and food components. Many of these compounds show little relationship to previously encountered compounds or metabolites, and yet our bodies are capable of managing environmental exposure by detoxifying them. To accomplish this task, our bodies have evolved complex systems of detoxification enzymes. These enzyme systems generally function adequately to minimize the potential of damage from xenobiotics. However, much literature suggests an association between impaired detoxification and disease, such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue/immune dysfunction syndrome. Therefore, accumulated data suggests an individual’s ability to remove toxins from the body may play a role in etiology or exacerbation of a range of chronic conditions and diseases. The detoxification systems are highly complex, show a great amount of individual variability, and are extremely responsive to an individual’s environment, lifestyle, and genetic uniqueness. This review of the detoxification systems is meant to whet the appetite for a more in-depth look at detoxification and, as such, it may raise more questions than it answers. Discovery of Detoxification Reactions The hypothesis that xenobiotics consumed by animals are transformed to water-soluble substances and excreted through the urine was first put forth in the late 18th century. For years, DeAnn Liska, Ph.D. — Associate Director of Research, HealthComm International, Inc. Correspondence address: P.O. Box 1729, Gig Harbor, WA 98335. e-mail: [email protected]