Effects of constant and flickering light on retinal metabolism in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the glucose metabolism in the rabbit retina.


METHODS
An artery and a vortex vein were cannulated. Arteriovenous differences in oxygen, lactate and glucose concentrations, and blood flow were determined during either 1) darkness and light, or 2) light and 4 Hz flickering light.


RESULTS
In darkness, oxygen consumption, glucose consumption, and lactate formation were 0.122 +/- 0.014, 0.204 +/- 0.015 and 0.160 +/- 0.023 micromol/min (mean +/- SE), respectively. Constant light reduced oxygen consumption insignificantly, and had no effect on glucose consumption. Hyperoxia did not affect the lactate formation. Flickering light increased the glucose consumption and lactate formation by 15-20%.


CONCLUSIONS
In rabbits, 10% of the glucose consumed is oxidized, 40-50% is metabolized to lactate and the rest is used for other purposes. The glycolysis is primarily aerobic. Flickering light increases the glucose metabolism, constant light having little effect.
Wang
L
L
Department of Physiology and Medical Biophysics, University of Uppsala, Sweden.
Bill
A
A
D000221:Adaptation, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000528:radiation effects; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D006019:Glycolysis / Q000528:radiation effects; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008027:Light; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011817:Rabbits; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012161:Retinal Artery / Q000502:physiology; D012169:Retinal Vein / Q000502:physiology
D019344:Lactic Acid; D005947:Glucose; D010100:Oxygen