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Aldose Reductase
Inhibitor is a class of drugs being studied as a way to prevent eye and nerve
damage in people with diabetes.
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Aldose reductase
is an enzyme that is normally present in the eye and in many other parts of the
body. It helps change glucose (sugar)
into a sugar alcohol called sorbitol.
Too much sorbitol trapped in eye and nerve
cells can damage these cells, leading to retinopathy and neuropathy.
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Drugs that
prevent or slow (inhibit) the action of aldose reductase are being studied as a
way to prevent or delay these complications of diabetes. Ex.
Epalrestat (see
journal article on Epalrestat)