Statil-sensitive polyol formation in nerve of galactose-fed mice

The sciatic nerve of diabetic C57BL/Ks mice did not accumulate either sorbitol or fructose despite elevated nerve glucose levels, nor did they show a depletion of free myo-inositol. Galactose feeding of both nondiabetic and diabetic mice for five days resulted in marked accumulations of dulcitol in nerve indicating polyol forming activity. Levels of myo-inositol showed small elevations in nerves of galactose-fed mice which reached significance when compared to diabetic mice fed the standard diet. Dulcitol accumulation was prevented by concurrent administration of the aldose reductase inhibitor Statil, but this did not prevent the increased levels of myo-inositol.