Figure 1. Protection of erythrocytes from oxidative stress-induced eryptosis by G6PDH-GR-Pathway.
Providing NADPH by G6PDH ensures GR activity, so maintaining the high intraerytrocytic GSH/GSSG ratio. This protects the cellular thiols as a general requirement for viability. Under these conditions, erythrocytes are protected against oxidative stress-induced eryptosis.