Photochemical Damage in the Albino Rat Retina: Morphological Changes and Endogenous Amino Acids

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Abstract
Endogenous amino acios were measured in retinas of rats exposed for up to 48 h to fluorescent light. Typical light damage was seen in photoreceptor cells after 30 h exposure to a maximum luminance of 1544 scotopic lx; taurine levels were significantly reduced after this period. The concentrations of other amino acids increased. After 18 h exposure to light, GABA, glycine, glutamate and aspartate levels were raised in the photoreceptor cells and GABA, glutamate and glutamine levels in the inner retina. When exposed animals were returned to their normal environment for 72 h photoreceptor degeneration progressed and taurine concentrations were reduced further. The loss apparently was from damaged photoreceptor cells. At this time the concentrations of the other amino acids measured had usually returned to normal.