It is possible that Na, K-ATPase may play some roles in ischemic damage of nervous tissue. To determine whether Na, K-ATPase is affected in ischemic and reperfused retina, we measured enzyme activities. Retinal ischemia was induced by clamping the optic nerve of female adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats for 90 minutes. At 0.5, 2 and 24 hours after reperfusion, rat eyes were enucleated, and the retinas were removed. In addition to unseparated, total ouabain-sensitive Na, K-ATPase activity, we measured weakly ouabain-sensitive (alpha) and highly ouabain-sensitive (alpha[+]) isoform activities separately by ATP hydrolysis. Total ouabain-sensitive Na, K-ATPase activity, alpha and alpha(+) isoform activities showed no significant difference from sham-operated contralateral eyes at 0.5 and 2 hours of reperfusion. After 24 hours of reperfusion, total ouabain-sensitive Na, K-ATPase activity decreased to 63% of the control. The activities of alpha and alpha(+) isoforms were 47% and 72%, respectively. The ratios of the alpha and alpha(+) isoform activities (alpha/alpha[+]) significantly decreased at 2 and 24 hours of reperfusion. Activity in a isoform decreased markedly in reperfused rat retinas. This response may be beneficial for reducting the oxidative stress in reperfused retinas.