The contribution of glycolytic and oxidative pathways to retinal photoreceptor function

Abstract

PURPOSE. To consider how aerobic and anaerobic metabolic processes limit posthypoxemic decay in retinal function, measured by electroretinogram (ERG). METHODS. The hypothesis that lowering metabolic demand would prolong endogenous metabolic stores was tested by comparing the rate of ERG decay in rats in dark- (n = 5) versus light-adapted (15 minutes, 112 cd/m2, n = 5) conditions and with serial versus single (n = 5 at each of seven time points) light stimulation. Postmortem hypoxemia was induced by cervical dislocation. Glucose (10 and 100 mM) and glutamine or lactate (100 mM) were injected into the vitreous 10 minutes before hypoxemic insult, to consider glycolytic-oxidative versus oxidativ..