| Galactitol | |
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(2R,3S,4R,5S)-hexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol |
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Other names
D-Galactitol; Dulcitol |
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| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 608-66-2 |
| PubChem | 11850 |
| ChemSpider | 11357 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:16813 |
| Jmol-3D images | Image 1 |
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| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C6H14O6 |
| Molar mass | 182.17 g mol−1 |
| (verify) (what is: /?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) |
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| Infobox references | |
Galactitol (dulcitol) is a sugar alcohol, the reduction product of galactose.[1] In people with galactokinase deficiency, a form of galactosemia, excess dulcitol forms in the lens of the eye leading to cataracts.[2]
Galactitol is produced from galactose in a reaction catalyzed by aldose reductase. Galactose itself comes from the metabolism of the disaccharide lactose into glucose and galactose.
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. The toxicity associated with galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase deficiency is associated with symptoms of hepatosplenomegaly and mental retardation in addition to the cataracts caused by galactitol buildup.
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