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The effects of low pH and CO2 on bovine corneal lactate production
A Sarroca1, S Lin, J A Bonanno
1Morton D. Sarver Center for Cornea and Contact Lens Research, University of California, School of Optometry, Berkeley 94720-2020, USA.
Purpose:
Hypoxic corneal swelling in human subjects is reduced by CO2 induced corneal acidosis. We investigated whether this effect could be explained by a reduction in lactate production under acidic conditions.
Methods:
Lactate production from isolated bovine corneas was assayed under normoxic and hypoxic conditions at normal pH (7.5) and low pH (7.05). Low pH was achieved using a CO2/HCO3- Ringer or a HEPES buffered Ringer.
Results:
Normoxic corneas produced significantly less (approximately 25%) lactate under all acidic conditions. In contrast, hypoxic corneas produced the same or slightly less lactate under acidic conditions (weighted average of all conditions = 6% less lactate).
Conclusions:
From these results, we concluded that pH can have a substantial effect on lactate production, but its influence on glycolytic activity during hypoxia is suppressed and may be negligible.