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 The NADPH Link between the Renin Angiotensin System and the Antioxidant Mechanisms in Dopaminergic Neurons Pentose phosphate pathway Wikipedia Explain how Inactivity or absence of Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase ; a rate limiting enzyme in the Pentose phosphate pathway could lead to oxidative stress.*