Page 145 - Biochemistry PharmD General

• Aldose reductase reduces glucose, producing sorbitol;
this enzyme is found in the lens, retina, liver, kidney,
placenta, red blood cells, and in the cells of the ovaries
and seminal vesicles.

• In the seminal vesicles, there is a 2nd enzyme, sorbitol
dehydrogenase (SDH), that can oxidize sorbitol to
fructose.

• The 2-reaction pathway from glucose to fructose in
the seminal vesicles is for the benefit of sperm cells,
which use fructose as a major carbohydrate energy
source (sorbitol dehydrogenase deficiency is related
to male infertility).

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