The increase of sorbitol and fructose levels caused by aldose reductase activation and sorbitol dehydrogenase inhibition were observed in sciatic nerve of streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Elevated polyol pathway activity has been implicated in the development of diabetic complications such as neuropathy.

The regulation of polyol pathway enzymes is based on the changes of redox state of free nicotinamide nucleotides. The decrease of the NADP+/NADPH ratio in cytosolic compartment of sciatic nerve cells activated aldose reductase and the decrease of the NAD+/NADH ratio inhibited sorbitol dehydrogenase.

Nicotinamide as a precursor of NAD+ biosynthesis increased the free NADP+/NADPH and NAD+/NADH ratios and inhibited the activity of polyol pathway. The sorbitol level decreased in sciatic nerve of nicotinamide-treated streptozotocin-diabetic rats as compared to non-treated ones.

Tus, the data provide evidence for important role of nicotinamide, as an antidiabetic drug, in prevention or correction of diabetic neuropathy.

About the Authors

Kryvko IuIa, Kozyts'kyi ZIa, Serhiienko OO, Kuchmerovs'ka TM, Velykyi MM. (2001) Diabetic neuropathies. Metabolism of sorbitol in sciatic nerve tissue in streptozotocin diabetes. Ukr Biokhim Zh. 2001 Sep-Oct;73(5):69-74. Danylo Galytsky Lviv State Medical University, Lviv.