Sorbitol content of plasma and erythrocytes during induced short-term hyperglycemia.

Plasma glucose concentration was increased from a mean basal value of 3.3 +/- 0.1 to 13.3 +/- 1.5 mmol/L by the intravenous administration of glucose for 60 minutes to four healthy volunteers. The sorbitol content of erythrocytes was increased during the period of hyperglycemia from a mean basal value of 65 +/- 9 to 106 -/+ 6 mumol/L. The plasma sorbitol concentration remained constant at 12 +/- 1 mumol/L. This dissociated response indicates that the plasma concentration of sorbitol is not significantly affected by a short-term hyperglycemia sufficient to cause intracellular sorbitol accumulation.