Diabetic complications in lens and nerve and their prevention by sulindac or sorbinil: two novel aldose reductase inhibitors.

Sorbitol, resulting from glucose metabolism through aldose reductase, may play a role in diabetic complications such as cataracts, neuropathy, and vasculopathy. Sulindac (Clinoril) and sorbinil, two inhibitors of aldose reductase, decreased sorbitol formation in cataract or nerve tissue incubated in high glucose TC-199 media. Sulindac, a widely used anti-rheumatic drug, may have clinical applications in preventing diabetic complications.