Study of pyridine nucleotides in ocular tissues. II. Concentration of NAD and NADH in crystalline lenses of rabbits of various ages
Scuderi, G.; Sborgia, C.; Sborgia, G.; Manno, M.L.
Bollettino della Societa Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale 51(20): 1364-1365
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-8771 PMID: 8066 Document Number: 83206
The relative quantities of NAD and NADH in the lens of the eye of the rabbit at ages 15 days to 2 yr were investigated to test the hypothesis that in old age, due to diminished O2 tension, even the small amount of energy derived from aerobic metabolism of glucose by glycolytic action might be lost. NAD and NADH levels were important because, during an oxygen shortage, NADH was reoxidized to NAD at the expense of pyruvic acid, which was reduced to lactic acid. From each animal, 1 lens was used for NAD determinations and the other for NADH. The NAD/NADH ratios were very high at the age of 15 days, then diminished rapidly to about unity at 6 mo., after which the ratio rose again, but never to the original levels of young rabbits.