EFFECT OF AGING ON ERYTHROCYTE ALDOSE REDUCTASE AND SORBITOL DEHYDROGENASE-ACTIVITY

We measured erythrocyte aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase ac tivity in erythrocytes in healthy individuals aged from 16 to 91 years to determine the mechanism of age-dependent sorbitol accumulation. Er ythrocyte aldose reductase activity increased significantly with age b ut ageing had no effect on sorbitol dehydrogenase activity. Age and th e aldose reductase/sorbitol dehydrogenase ratio were positively correl ated. These findings suggest that an increase in the ratio of aldose r eductase to sorbitol dehydrogenase may contribute to the tissue accumu lation of sorbitol in the elderly and may be a mechanism of a disease that is common in elderly individuals.