Abstract: This invention relates to methods of inhibiting sorbitol dehydrogenase, lowering fructose levels, and treating or preventing diabetic complications such as diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic microangiopathy or diabetic macroangiopathy in a mammal using pyrimidine derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are defined as below, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing such derivatives. It also relates to certain novel substituted pyrimidines having the above formula. It also relates to mutual prodrugs of compounds of the formula I and aldose reductase inhibiting compounds, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of the formula I and an aldose reductase inhibitor.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of inhibiting sorbitol dehydrogenase, lowering fructose levels, and treating or preventing diabetic complications such as diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic microangiopathy or diabetic macroangiopathy in a mammal using pyrimidine derivatives of formula (I) wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are defined as below, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing such derivatives. It also relates to certain novel substituted pyrimidines having the above formula. It also relates to mutual prodrugs of compounds of above formula (I) and aldose reductase inhibiting compounds, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of above formula (I) and an aldose reductase inhibitor.

Abstract: 4-(S)-8-(.omega.-carboxy-1-oxoalkylamino) derivatives of sorbinil useful as ligands for affinity chromatographic purification of aldose reductase; methods for their preparation and use for the above-mentioned purpose.