AKR1B1 and diabetes mellitus: A previous study reported that elevated AKR1B1 can increase AcSOD2 and RAGE-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the epithelial human lens of DM cataracts via decreasing AMPK activation [45], and the significance of AKR1B1 in the mediation of sugar-induced lens opacification has also been confirmed [46], indicating the potential use of AKR1B1 inhibitors in preventing cataractogenesis.