Effect of a sorbitol-rich diet on plasma and erythrocyte sorbitol concentrations in normal and diabetic subjects.

Four normal subjects and seven diabetic patients ingested for 5-7 days a sorbitol-rich diet (44g of sorbitol/day). No obvious change in either plasma or erythrocyte sorbitol concentrations was observed. Thus, the regulation of endogenous sorbitol production appears unaffected by the sorbitol content of the diet.