Abstract
We studied clinical significance of the measurement of sorbitol concentration in the erythrocyte of diabetics in relation to the duration from onset, sex, type of the therapy and its complications.
Sorbitol concentration in the erythrocyte revealed significantly high level in the diabetic patients compared with healthy persons. As compared to the duration of diabetes, the higher sorbitol level was observed in long-term diabetes.
There was higher sorbitol concentration in the erythrocyte noted in insulin-treated group than in hypoglycemics-administered group. In this study no significant differences were noted in the diabetics with retinopathy.
Clinical effects and adverse reactions of aldose reductase inhibitor (Sorbinil®) on diabetic neuropathy were evaluated.
Along with lowering sorbitol concentration in the erythrocytes, there was improvement of the rate of nerve conduction without adverse reaction. From the above-mentioned results, it is considered that sorbitol concentration in the erythrocyte partially indicates altered long-term glucose metabolism, which are related to diabetic complications.
