Question

The African variant of G6PD deficiency results in a mildly reduced half-life of G6PD, thus leading to mild intravascular hemolysis with oxidative stress. What is the effect of the African variant of G6PD deficiency on the half-life of G6PD?

1) The half-life of G6PD is significantly reduced
2) The half-life of G6PD is mildly reduced
3) The half-life of G6PD is not affected
4) The half-life of G6PD is increased

Answer 1

The African variant of G6PD deficiency results in a 2. mildly reduced half-life of the enzyme G6PD, making red blood cells more susceptible to oxidative damage and leading to mild intravascular hemolysis under oxidative stress.

Step-by-step explanation:

The African variant of G6PD deficiency leads to a scenario where the half-life of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) enzyme is affected. The function of G6PD is crucial as it is involved in the pentose phosphate pathway, ensuring the maintenance of NADPH which is necessary to keep red blood cells protected from oxidative damage. In the case of the African variant, there is a mildly reduced half-life of G6PD, which can lead to mild intravascular hemolysis when those with the condition are subject to oxidative stress, such as from certain drugs, foods, or infections. This reduction compromises the red blood cells' ability to maintain adequate levels of glutathione, leading to their susceptibility to oxidative damage.

Given this information, the effect of the African variant of G6PD deficiency on the half-life of G6PD is that it is mildly reduced.