Change of histochemical and electrophysiological values of rabbit retina due to the antihypoxant sodium hydroxybutyrate.

This paper presents the results of an electrophysiologic and histochemical study on the effect of sodium hydroxybutyrate applied perorally as 5% syrup for 20 days on the rabbit retina. It was found with statistical significance that in response to the drug the amplitudes of "a" and "b" waves of the electroretinogram increased considerably and the activation of some dehydrogenases, glucose-6-phosphatedehydrogenase and lactatedehydrogenase in particular took place; this was most pronounced in the ganglion and in the inner nuclear layers of the retina. The results of the study show that a prolonged peroral application of 5% sodium hydroxybutyrate syrup might be an expeditious way to activate energy processes in the retina.