Figure 4.

Carbon flux through the hexose monophosphate shunt in normal human erythrocytes (RBCs). In the absence of an oxidative insult, the compounds have no effect on HMS flux. However, exposure to 10 mM H₂O₂ significantly increases HMS flux in untreated control RBCs. Treatment with the indicated compounds at 1 mM for 10 min prior to addition of 0.3 mCi 14C-U-glucose results in varying increases in HMS flux, with 17β-E2 and 17α-E2, showing comparable responses. ZYC-3 significantly increased HMS flux over the estrogens, and ZYC-23, a non-neuroprotective negative control, yields HMS flux rates indistinguishable from untreated controls. Means not significantly different at P < 0.05 (Bonferroni), share superscripts; ANOVA F = 22.18, * P < 0.0001. Adapted and reprinted with permission from Dykens et al., 2004