How Does the Pentose Phosphate Pathway Relate to Toxicology?
In toxicology, the pentose phosphate pathway plays a crucial role in cellular defense against oxidative stress. Many xenobiotics and toxins induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The NADPH generated by the PPP is essential for maintaining the reduced state of glutathione (GSH), a critical antioxidant that detoxifies ROS and prevents cellular damage.