To screen for potential AR inhibitors.
- Rapid and simple
- Sensitive and reliable
Aldose reductase (aldehyde reductase; AR; ALR2; EC 1.1.1.21), a member of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily, catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of a wide variety of aldoses (molecules containing carbonyl groups) to their corresponding alcohols. It is a key enzyme in the polyol pathway and the key factor in the reduction of glucose to sorbitol. Synthesis and accumulation of sorbitol due to AR activity is the main cause of diabetic complications, such as diabetic cataract, retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy. Inhibition of AR has been successfully used in clinical settings. These approved drugs prevent the accumulation of sorbitol. Thus, preventing eye and nerve damage in patients with diabetes. In addition, recent studies have shown that AR inhibitors may be able to prevent or delay the onset of cardiovascular complications such as ischemia/reperfusion injury, atherosclerosis and atherothrombosis. BioVision’s aldose reductase inhibitor screening kit can be used to screen potential inhibitors of this molecular target. Epalrestat, a noncompetitive AR inhibitor, is used as a positive control. In this assay, AR activity is monitored by the reduction in absorbance reading at OD 340 nm, while potential inhibitors arrest this decrease. The kit is adapted to a 96-well format and provides a rapid, simple, sensitive and reliable test for screening of AR inhibitors.
