Abstract
Erythrocyte aldose reductase activity was measured in diabetic patients and normal controls. The enzyme activity was 2.07±0.14 (meas±SEM, U/gHb, n=45) and 1.11±0.12 (n=34) indiabetic patients and normal controls, respectively (p<0.0001). Activities of the enzyme correlated well with HbA1 (p<0.01) but not with fasting plasma glucose. To elucidate the effect of ambient temperature on erythrocyte aldose reductase activity, 9 male students were immersed in water at three different temperatures. After water immersion at 42°C for 10min, enzyme activity increased by 37.6%(p<0.01); however, this activity decreased after immersion for 10min at 39°C (-52.2%, p<0.01) and 25°C (-47.0%, p<0.05). Erythrocyte sorbitol content increased by 36.0%(p<0.05) after immersion at 42°C. These changes suggest that heat stress might have some effect on diabetic complications.
