Pyridine nucleotides in normal and diabetic rat lenses

Abstract

The oxidized and reduced forms of diphospho- and triphosphopyridine nucleotide were measured fluorometrically. In the normal rat lens, DPN is largely oxidized and decreases in concentration with age. The reduced form may decrease proportionately. TPN accounts for less than one-quarter of the total nucleotide. Over half of the TPN exists in the reduced form and the levels do not change with age. Alloxan diabetes causes an increase in the total concentration of reduced nucleotide and perhaps an equivalent loss of oxidized form. Known metabolic changes possibly leading to changes in nucleotide oxidation-reduction balance are discussed.