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Fig. 1 | Genes and Environment

Fig. 1

From: Mutagenic, Genotoxic and Immunomodulatory effects of Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine: a review to evaluate its potential to use as a prophylactic drug against COVID-19

Fig. 1

Comparison of structures and metabolism of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and Chloroquine (CQ): Both HCQ and CQ have a very similar, basic, and a flat aromatic structure. The only difference is the presence of an additional hydroxyl (−OH) group in HCQ as highlighted by the blue oval in the representation. Dealkylation of HCQ and CQ are mediated by Cytochrome P450 enzymes in the liver. HCQ produces two first-stage metabolites instead of just one. The two metabolites are Desthylhydroxychloroquine and Desthylchloroquine. Desthylchloroquine is also the first-stage metabolite product of CQ. Both the first-stage metabolites are further metabolized to a common product, Bisdesthylchloroquine

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