Diabetes causes inhibition of glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase via activation of PKA, which contributes to oxidative stress in rat kidney cortex American Journal of Physiology Renal Physiology American Physiological Society 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