Estimation of sorbitol in red blood cells of diabetic patients with and without peripheral neuropathy

ABSTRACT

Fasting blood sugar and red cell sorbitol were estimated in forty two diabetics of both types with and without peripheral neuropathy. The results were compared with sixteen normal subjects. It was found that red cell sorbitol was higher in diabetics than in control subject. also the level of red cell sorbitol in diabetics with peripheral neuropathy was higher than those with no evidence of peripheral neuritis, although the diference was not significant. Furthermore a positive correlation was found between red cell sorbitol and fasting blood sugar in type I diabetes It was concluded that red cell sorbitol might represent an index of the tissue sorbitol level and can be used to monitor the success of any therapy aiming at blocking the activity of the polyol pathway