Red Blood Cell Sorbitol Lowering Effects and Tolerance of Single Doses of AL 1576 (HOE 843) in Diabetic Patients

The safety and biochemical effects of AL 1576 (HOE 483), a recently developed aldose reductase inhibitor, were evaluated. In a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, clinical trial, AL 1576 (HOE 483) was administered to diabetic patients for the first time. Four single, orally administered dose levels were tested, (2, 5,10, and 20 mg). No clinically important adverse effects were seen in any of the patients. AL 1576 (HOE 433) suppressed red blood cell (RBC) sorbitol concentrations in a dose‐related fashion. Also found were statistically significant inverse correlations between the plasma drug concentration and both RBC sorbitol concentrations as well as RBC sorbitol/serum glucose ratios. In single doses up to 20 mg, AL 1576 (HOE 433) is well tolerated and decreases BBC sorbitol, a biochemical marker of pharmacologic activity, in diabetic patients.