The glyoxalase system is a biochemical pathway that helps detoxify harmful compounds in the body, particularly glyoxal and methylglyoxal. These compounds can form as byproducts of metabolism and can be toxic if they accumulate. The system consists of two main enzymes: glyoxalase I and glyoxalase II, which work together to convert these harmful substances into less toxic forms. In this process, glyoxalase I catalyzes the conversion of glyoxal into a hemithioacetal, which is then transformed by glyoxalase II into D-lactate. This detoxification pathway is crucial for maintaining cellular health and preventing damage to proteins and DNA, thereby playing a significant role in overall metabolic balance.