Comparison of amino acid transport in ocular structures of rabbits made diabetic by alloxan and pancreatectomy.

Whether alloxan or diabetes is responsible for the lowered concentration of amino acids in aqueous humor and lenses of rabbits made diabetic by this drug was investigated. The rate of accumulation of <C-cycloleucine (l-amino cyclopentane carboxylic acid) in both posterior aqueous and lens was depressed to essentially the same degree in rabbits made diabetic by pancreatectomy or by alloxan. The uptake of cycloleucine in lenses cultured in the presence of alloxan was unaffected. It is concluded that some factor associated with diabetes, probably elevated level of glucose, is responsible for the altered, rate of accumulation across both the ciliary epithelium and the lens rather than a direct toxic effect of alloxan.