Pentose phosphate pathway Flashcards
Byproduct of the PPP ?
NADPH
As opposed to glycolysis, which yields NADH, the PPP yields NADPH.
This NADPH does not give energy equivalents.
PPP takes place in ?
Cytosol
Committed step of PPP & rate limiting step :
Glucose-6-phosphate —> 6-phosphogluconate
via Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)
Releases NADPH
This step is oxidative and irriversible
PPP oxidative pathway makes
NADPH
The PPP and glycolysis are linked by what enzymes rearranging carbons ?
Transketolase
Transaldolase
Fate of ribose
Excess ribose in the diet can enter glycolysis via PPP.
Transketolase prosthetic group:
Thiamine pyrophosphate
Syndrome that present as a triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and confusion due to chronic thiamine deficiency in context of chronic alcoholism.
Alcohol inhibit absorption of thiamine.
Wernicke’s encephalopathy
Thiamine is used as a cofactor in many reactions, but only one uses it as its only cofactor making it useful to dx a thiamine deficiency :
Transketolase enzyme (enzyme of the PPP)
Non oxidative rx
Pyruvate dehydrogenase and a-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase also uses it as cofactor but have other coenzymes also.
Thiamine deficiency results in decreased glucose utilization, which is especially pronounced in the :
CNS (brain).
Side effect of thamine deficiency if glucose introduced :
Lactic acidosis
Why you need to give thiamine before reintroducing glucose in a malnourished or alcoholic pt.
An increase in erythrocyte transketolase levels after thiamine infusion is diagnosic of :
thiamine deficiency
Main regulator of PPP
NADP+
A rapidly dividing cell requires more:
ribose-5-phosphate
NOT NADPH (Skips the first part of the rx)
Oxidative pathway
Glycolysis —> PPP
glucose-6-phosphate –> 6-phosphogluconate via G6PD
Non-oxidative pathway
PPP<—-> Glycolysis
Transketolase
Glutathione is a tripeptide made of :
Glutamate
Cysteine
Glycine
Role of glutathione
Helps relieve the oxidative stress build up in RBCs
G6PDH required for maintaining glutathione in the reduced state and do its job!
What pathway is important to reduce oxidative stress ?
PPP
G6PD deficiency pathophysio
X linked
Hemolytic Anemia & jaundice
No more NADPH being produced, H2O2 accumulates, lysis of RBCs (breakdown of RBC - bilirubin)
May be partial - for instance it may function at 50% which may be sufficient for day to day oxidative stress management and thus people will have sx only when there is excessive build up ROS.
How does NADPH helps maintain the oxidative- reductive reactions?
NADPH form from PPP used to maintain the reduced pool of glutathione.
Reduced pool of glutathione is required to prevent lysis of RBCs.
What are Heinz bodies ?
oxidized Hb conglomerates (denatured Hb precipitates) in RBCs removed by splenic macrophages, leaving behind characteristic bite cells.
Oxidative stressors :
Avoid if confirmed or suspected G6PD def.
Precipiatate hemolytic anemia & jaundice !
Antimalarial drugs
Atb such as sulfa & chloramphenicol
Fava beans also!
Pt presenting with jaundice after introduction of a medication may be an indicator that he/she has G6PD deficiency.
Glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase deficiencies may present as :
G6PD deficiency