OXIDIZED PYRIDINE NUCLEOTIDES AND LACTIC ACID IN THE CORNEAL TISSUE OF RABBITS

Abstract

The mean concentrations of oxidized pyridine nucleotides in the corneal epithelium and stroma of rabbits, determined fluorometrically in trichloroacetic acid extracts of scrapings from the frozen tissue, were 637 ± 130 and 58 ± 21 μg of DPN per gram of moist tissue respectively. The epithelial level was comparable to the reported content of some samples of rat liver and retina. The mean concentrations of lactic acid in corneal epithelium and stroma were 996 ± 158 and 771 ± 131 μg per gram of tissue respectively. Results suggested that in the cases of epithelial DPN and stromal lactate there is a slight advantage in using the paired eye as a control over an unmatched eye.