Galactitol ( dulcitol) is a sugar alcohol, the redox product of galactose.[ In people with galactokinase deficiency, a form of galactosemia, excess dulcitol forms in the lens of the eye leading to .]
Galactitol is produced from galactose in a reaction catalyzed by aldose reductase.
The other common galactose metabolism defect is a defect in galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, an autosomal recessive disorder, which also causes a buildup of galactitol as a result of increased concentrations of galactose-1-phosphate and galactose. This disorder leads to cataracts caused by galactitol buildup.
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