Sorbitol dehydrogenase has been used in a study to investigate osmotic stress induced oxidative damage as a possible mechanism of cataract formation in diabetes.

Sorbitol dehydrogenase is an oxidoreductase. Sorbitol dehydrogenase is an enzyme in carbohydrate metabolism converting fructose into Sorbitol.

Biochem/physiol actions: activity of sorbitol dehydrogenase increases in diabetic animals.
Unit definition: one unit will convert 1,0 µmole of D-fructose to D-sorbitol per minute at pH 7,6 at 25 °C.