Reduced protein synthesis in diabetic retina and secondary reduction of slow axonal transport.

Protein synthesis in the retina in diabetic rabbits decreased as the severity of the diabetes increased, but protein degradation and replacement were not affected. The reduction in the amount of orthograde slow axonal transport in diabetic rabbits closely paralleled the reduction in the amount of fast axonal transport and protein synthesis in the retina. The reduction in slow flow is most probably a simple reflection of reduced protein synthesis in the retinal ganglion cells. The relationships among reduction in axon diameter, volume of perikaryon, slow axonal transport and diabetic neuropathy are discussed.