[Transformation of sorbitol to mannitol when used in parenteral administration]

This was shown by the unexpected discovery of the urinary excretion of mannitol when urinary sorbitol levels were being measured in connection with the surveillance of patients suffering from malnutrition and head injury and receiving total parenteral nutrition: glucose, sorbitol, amino-acids, soya oil. The presence of mannitol in the urine would appear to result from a secondary catabolic through physiological pathway for the fructose produced by the metabolism of sortibol not metabolised during glycolysis.