Metabolism vs. metabolomics: Mechanisms of endocrine disruption

Metabolism is a general term of cell biology that implies change of molecular entities, which generally occurs as a result of enzymatic activities generating metabolites from a parent compound. Historically, evaluations have focused on metabolic conversions of xeno- or endo-biotic substances to specific metabolites (classic biotransformation/metabolism). However, recent advances in analytical chemistry and large data set informatic evaluations have allowed scientists not only to evaluate the putative metabolites generated from a parent chemical but also the generation of metabolites created indirectly from endogenous substrates that may be altered by that same chemical (metabolomics). This review will discuss the changes within both of these metabolic processes and impacts they might have on endocrine responses, specifically estrogenic endpoints.