Sorbitol accumulation in heart: implication for diabetic cardiomyopathy

Sorbitol levels in heart were determined in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Significantly higher levels were found in hearts of diabetic rats compared to normal rats. The findings are compatible with either significantly higher de novo synthesis of sorbitol in heart than is generally believed or uptake of circulating sorbitol by heart as previously indicated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in vivo metabolic imaging. Sorbitol accumulation in heart tissue may play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy as has been implicated in cataract formation.