Pentose Phosphate and G6PD Flashcards
What is another name for the Pentose Phosphate Pathway →
HMP shunt
What are the two phases of the PPP →
Oxidative (irreversible) and nonoxidative (reversible)
Where in the cell does the PPP occur →
Cytoplasm
Does the PPP produce or use ATP →
No ATP is used or produced
What are the main products of the PPP →
NADPH and ribose-5-phosphate
What tissues are highly active in PPP →
Liver, adrenal cortex, lactating mammary glands, RBCs
What enzyme catalyzes the oxidative step in PPP →
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
What cofactor is needed by transketolase in the PPP →
Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
What is the purpose of NADPH in red blood cells →
Maintains glutathione in reduced form to neutralize reactive oxygen species
What is the inheritance pattern of G6PD deficiency →
X-linked recessive
Why is NADPH important in RBCs →
Keeps glutathione reduced, which detoxifies free radicals and peroxides
What causes hemolysis in G6PD deficiency →
Decreased NADPH → poor defense against oxidative stress → hemolysis
What are common oxidative stress triggers in G6PD deficiency →
Fava beans, sulfonamides, nitrofurantoin, primaquine, infection
What is the role of glutathione reductase →
Regenerates reduced glutathione (GSH) from oxidized glutathione (GSSG)
What is the role of glutathione peroxidase →
Uses reduced glutathione to neutralize peroxides to water
What are Heinz bodies →
Denatured globin chains inside RBCs due to oxidative damage
What are bite cells →
RBCs with Heinz bodies removed by macrophages
Mnemonic for Heinz bodies and bite cells →
Bite into some Heinz ketchup
