POLYOLS IN THE CEREBROSPINAL FLUID AND PLASMA OF NEUROLOGICAL, DIABETIC AND URAEMIC PATIENTS

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Abstract
Five polyols, arabinitol, anhydroglucitol, mannitol, sorbitol and myoinositol, normally present in CSF were studied. Quantitative GLC analysis of 211 CSF and 112 plasma samples indicated significantly altered concentrations in several clinical conditions. All 5 polyols were decreased in the CSF of patients suffering from meningitis, cerebral atrophy, sepsis and in patients receiving intrathecal cytostatic therapy. Equilibration between plasma and CSF may explain the changes in sepsis and meningitis; decreased total number of functioning cells may cause the decrease in cerebral atrophy. Intrathecal cytostatics seemed to have a destructive effect on the cell metabolism of the CNS. Renal failure caused accumulation of polyols in the plasma. Alterations in the metabolism of sorbitol, myoinositol and anhydroglucitol seemed to be present in diabetes. The plasma concentration of anhydroglucitol was decreased in renal failure.