The fragility of erythrocytes
The fragility of erythrocytes is impaired in the absence of NADPH generation due to the deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase thereby causing haemolytic anaemia when the red blood cells are subjected to certain drugs such as primaquine and sulphonamide. An inverse correlation has been found between the activity of glucose- 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and the fragility of red cells (i.e. susceptibility to haemolysis).