Pentose Phosphate Pathway changes in response to liver irradiation.

<p>The pentose phosphate pathway generates NADPH, ribose 5-phosphate, and intermediates of the glycolytic pathway. The NADPH is utilized for reductive pathways, such as fatty acid biosynthesis and the glutathione defense system against injury by reactive oxygen species. Ribose 5-phosphate provides the sugar for nucleotide synthesis. Increased levels of pentose phosphate intermediates may indicate altered glucose and/or nucleotide metabolism.