What Does G6PD Stand For?

G6PD stands for Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase

G6PD, or Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase, is an enzyme that plays a critical role in the pentose phosphate pathway, which is essential for cellular metabolism. It catalyzes the oxidation of glucose-6-phosphate to 6-phosphogluconolactone, generating NADPH, a molecule important for biosynthetic reactions and antioxidant defense. G6PD deficiency is a genetic condition that can lead to hemolytic anemia and increased susceptibility to oxidative stress, particularly in response to certain foods, medications, or infections.