Accumulation of sorbitol in endothelial cells--a possible cause of diabetic microangiopathy.

Human umbilical cord endothelial cells accumulate more intracellular sorbitol in response to increased glucose concentration during in vitro incubation. This accumulation of sorbitol by endothelial cells is both concentration and time dependent. Increased concentration of sorbitol in endothelial cells may be important in the pathogenesis of diabetic associated microangiopathy.