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G6PD

Meaning

G6PD is the clinical abbreviation for Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase, a pivotal enzyme that catalyzes the first step in the pentose phosphate pathway, a crucial metabolic shunt. Its primary function is to produce NADPH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate), which is absolutely essential for maintaining cellular redox balance by regenerating the critical antioxidant glutathione. A deficiency in this enzyme impairs the cell’s defense against oxidative stress and can have significant hematological and systemic consequences.