Clinical associations and potential cellular mechanisms linking G6PD deficiency and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease npj Metabolic Health and Disease Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase an overview ScienceDirect Topics Pentose Phosphate Pathway made simple. This pathway has two major jobs: Generate NADPH Produce ribose 5 phosphate NADPH protects cells from oxidative stress and supports fatty acid, cholesterol, steroid, nitric oxide, and respiratory burst G6PD Deficiency Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency X linked recessive disorder Leads to low NADPH, impairing glutathione regeneration RBCs are vulnerable to oxidative damage Pathophysiology: In G6PD deficiency: No