Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine whether corneal exposure to alkaline chemicals results in predictable lipid profile changes. To determine whether lipid profile changes correlate to specific alkali strength and exposure duration.
Methods: :
Enucleated bovine (n= 40), porcine (n= 40), and cadaver human eyes (n= 6) were procured from Just Meats, Chillicothe, Ohio and Lions Eye Bank Florida respectively and exposed to varying concentrations of sodium and ammonium hydroxide. The corneas were excised and the corneal lipids were extracted via the Bligh and Dyer lipid extraction method. The extracted lipid solutions were analyzed with thin layer chromatography (TLC). Lipid standards were purchased and run simultaneously on the TLC to assess for presence of specific lipid classes. Mass spectrometry is pending to determine exact lipid species present in corneal tissue. This research adhered to ARVO statement for use of animals in research and Helsinki Declaration respectively.
Results: :
TLC analysis revealed that alkali exposure duration indeed alters the lipid profile. The lipid solution extracted from bovine eyes that were exposed to 11 molar sodium hydroxide revealed significant profile changes that manifested at the 30-minute time point. A new spot on the TLC plate appeared at the 30-minute time point that was not present in the previous 30-second and 12-minute time points. This spot remained for the following 60-minute, 8-hour, and 24-hour time points. Further mass spectrometry will be used to determine the exact composition of this novel spot.
Conclusions: :
Alkali exposure duration does indeed modify the corneal lipid profile.
Keywords: cornea: basic science • trauma • lipids