HMP shunt pathway

Importance of HMP-Shunt:

1. Provides ribose sugar for synthesis of nucleotide and nucleic acid.

2. Provides NADP2H to:

·        Helps in reductive synthesis of fatty acid, steroid, cholesterol etc.

·        Support detoxifying functions of liver by hydroxylation of toxic water insoluble aromatic/ aliphatic substances into water soluble, less toxic or nontoxic forms.

·        Prevent hemolysis by facilitating antioxidant activity in RBC.

·        Facilitate superoxide and free radical production in phagocytes through oxygen dependant myeloperoxidase system to kill bacteria and other pathogens.

·        Help in reduction of H₂O₂.

·        Help in synthesis of nitric oxide or endothelial derived relaxing factor.

3. It is an alternative pathway of glucose oxidation.