Endocrinology
Biochemistry, Polyol Or Sorbitol Pathways
The sorbitol or polyol pathway is a two-step metabolic pathway that converts glucose into fructose. This pathway is thought to play a prominent role in explaining the pathogenesis of complications in patients with end-stage diabetes. In light of this, this activity presents the biochemistry behind this pathway, summarizes the individual reactions and their importance, reviews the prevailing hypothesis explaining why this pathway plays a role in end-stage diabetes, and explores the clinical signi
v1 · Reviewed Nov 7, 2026 by Automated Clinical Reviewer (Strict Verbatim v1)
- Without early intervention and adequate glycemic control, the complications formed from the polyol pathway can become permanent and significantly decrease quality of life.
- Nuclear magnetic resonance was utilized to examine diabetic cataractogenesis
- adequate glycemic control
- GLP-1 agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors are efficacious in reducing renal oxidative stress and their effects on glycemic control.
GLP-1 agonists
Not specified in source
- Adult
- Not specified in source
- Renal
- Not specified in source
- Duration
- Not specified in source
SGLT-2 inhibitors
Not specified in source
- Adult
- Not specified in source
- Renal
- Not specified in source
- Duration
- Not specified in source
- Aldolase reductase inhibitors have been extensively researched to examine whether they can be effective treatments.
- Adverse effects of these drugs include hypersensitivity reactions.
- The polyol pathway has also been credited as an explanation of complications in diabetic patients, specifically in the kidney, retina, and nerves.
- Research has shown that in diabetic patients, the polyol pathway decreases glutathione and NADPH levels due to the low activity of glutathione reductase.
- reviewBiochemistry, Polyol Or Sorbitol Pathways. StatPearls [Internet] — Kishan K. Srikanth, Josephine A. Orrick — StatPearls Publishing, 2022
Decision support only. Verify against local protocols and current labeling. Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
