Purpose: To investigate the mechanisms of the known electroretinographic abnormalities of diabetic rats and to explore effects of hypoxemia.
Methods: Subretinal and vitreal microelectrodes were used to isolate the retinal and retinal pigment epithelial components of the electroretinogram. Normoxic and hypoxemic recordings were taken from nine normal and six streptozotocin-diabetic, anesthetized, paralyzed, and ventilated pigmented rats.
Results: When inspired O2 was reduced the retinal pigment epithelial c-wave component of most of the normal rats diminished, whereas those of the diabetic rats, though initially smaller, were more resistant to the episode of hypoxemia (P = 0.0061). A similar trend was seen in other components.
Conclusion: It is proposed that the reduced sensitivity of the diabetic electroretinogram to hypoxemia results from a reduced dependency of the diabetic retina on oxygen. This reduced dependence may follow from a shift in adenosine triphosphate production whereby oxidative phosphorylation is reduced by the high level of retinal intracellular glucose (Crabtree effect). A reduced oxygen demand would cause a transient increase in retinal PO2, leading to a reduction in retinal blood flow. The resulting chronic hypoperfusion of the retinal circulation may deprive the retina of vital, non-energy-related substances.