ERYTHROCYTE SORBITOL CONTENT IN DIABETIC-PATIENTS - RELATION TO METABOLIC CONTROL

  • 1 June 1987
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 13  (3) , 182-186
Abstract
Since intracellular sorbitol is considered a factor perhaps involved in the pathogenesis of some diabetic complications, erythrocyte sorbitol content was measured in diabetics (IDDM and NIDDM) and in a control group and its relation with metabolic control was investigated. The erythrocyte sorbitol content was significantly increased in diabetic population (p < 0.001) as compared to the controls. In newly diagnosed IDDMs the erythrocyte sorbitol content changed in parallel with the blood sugar level indicating that the accumulation can be reversed in erythrocytes. In a cross-sectional study a significant positive corelation existed in IDDMs between the concentration of red cell sorbitol and the plasma glucose concentration (r = 0.45; p < 0.001). Also the HbAl values correlated (r = 0.44; p < 0.001) with the erythrocyte sorbitol content. In NIDDMs no correlation with metabolic control could be demonstrated.