Biochemical toxicology is the branch of toxicology that focuses on the biochemical changes and mechanisms of toxic substances in living organisms. It involves the study of how toxic substances interact with biological systems, including their metabolism, detoxification, and the biochemical mode of action that leads to toxic effects.
The biochemical aspects of toxicological chemistry include the study of:- Analytical toxicology: Identification and assay of toxic chemicals in biological material.
- Toxicity testing: Using living systems to estimate toxicity.
- Biochemical changes in toxic substances: The detoxification of toxic substances in an organism's system.
- Biochemical mode of action: The biochemical pathways through which toxic substances exert their toxic effects.
Toxicological chemistry addresses the chemical nature and reactions of toxic substances, including their origins, uses, and chemical aspects of exposure, fates, and disposal. It also covers the relationships between the chemical properties and molecular structures of toxic substances and their toxic effects.In some cases, toxic substances enter the body unchanged and react to cause a toxic effect, such as carbon monoxide binding to blood hemoglobin. In other cases, toxicants or their metabolic precursors (protoxicants) react in ways that may make them more toxic or that alter their metabolic pathways, leading to toxic effects.Biochemical toxicology is important in understanding the mechanisms of toxicity and developing strategies for preventing and treating toxic effects. It also plays a role in the development of safety assessments for various substances, such as food additives and color additives used in food.
