Hexitol production by canine retinal microvessels.

Hexitol-producing activity has been quantitated in microvessels isolated from retina and cerebral cortex of dogs, a species known to develop a retinopathy similar to that seen in diabetic patients. Both the retinal and cerebral microvessels produce galactitol from galactose, but at a rate several-fold less than that seen in canine lens epithelium. This hexitol-producing activity of the microvessels is not an artifact of erythrocyte contamination and can be inhibited by the aldose reductase inhibitor, Sorbinil.