Glucose, Pyruvate, L‐lactate, and Citrate Concentrations in the Aqueous Humour of Fasting Rabbits in Relation to Age

Abstract

Results are reported of determinations of glucose, pyruvate, l-lactate and citrate concentrations in aqueous humour from 42 fasting albino rabbits aged from 8 months to 9 years. The glucose concentrations decreased significantly with increasing age. The pyruvate and l-lactate concentrations as well as the ratios of l-lactate/pyruvate did not change significantly with age. However, the pyruvate concentrations were higher and the l-lactate/pyruvate ratios were lower in the 2-year-old rabbits than in the others. The citrate concentrations were found to rise with increasing age. Because of wide ranges of variation between individuals of the same age groups, the parameters in question have limited value in the evaluation of the energy metabolism of the anterior eye segment.

Concentrations of Some Metabolites in the Aqueous Humour of Human Senile Cataractous Eyes

“…The aqueous humour was immediately heated to boiling point by means of a spirit-flame in order to destroy glycolytic enzymes (Bruun Laursen & Lorentzen 1975).…”

“…For pyruvate, citrate, and 1-lactate concentrations Biochemica Boehringer were usedwith certain changes (Bruun Laursen & Lorentzen 1975). However, the pH of the lactate buffer was raised from 7.8 to 8.5, recoveries thereby rising to nearly 100 O / o .…”

Occlusion of the cornea with contact lens and anterior chamber lactate levels

“…According to Bruun Laursen & Lorentzen (1975), the blood lactate levels of the rabbit is directly related to the activity of the rabbit. The diffusion of lactates across the blood aqueous barrier would therefore reflect animal behaviour.…”