Role of aldose reductase in the development of diabetes-associated complications.

The aldose reductase-initiated intracellular accumulation of polyols has been clearly shown to have a hyperosmotic effect on the lens of experimental animals. Similar localized osmotic changes resulting in the onset of pathology may also occur in the nerve, corneal epithelium, and retinal pericytes. Except for experimental diabetic cataracts, however, the exact mechanism by which aldose reductase is involved in these diabetes-associated complications remains to be clarified.