Mechanisms of toxic cell injury.

The biochemical mechanisms by which xenobiotic agents initiate cell injury involve networks of interactions at a variety of molecular and structural targets. The author highlights current concepts in six major areas of investigation: covalent binding, oxidative stress, alterations of glutathione and protein thiols, peroxidation and hydrolysis of phospholipids, mitochondrial deenergization, and alterations of intracellular calcium homeostasis.