Posters

Changes in lipidomic profile and surface tension of aqueous humor in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy

Poster Details

First Author: J.Cabrerizo SPAIN

Co Author(s):    A. Urcola   M. Rodriguez - Calvo de Mora   E. Vecino   G. Melles           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To identify and determine differences in lipid profiles and surface tension of aqueous humor (AH) in patients with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (FED).

Setting:

Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery, the Netherlands / University Hospital of Alava, Spain

Methods:

10 pseudophakic FED patients and 10 phakic controls were enrolled. Topical ocular medications within the last 6 months were reported. AH was obtained during the first step of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in FED patients and during refractive lensectomy controls. AH was stored at -40C up to 9 months. Lipidomic ultra performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) was used to perform an optimal profiling of glycerolipids, sterol lipids, sphingolipids and glycerophospholipids. Metabolites were extracted by fractionatingsamples into pools of species with similar physicochemical properties. Surface tension was determined by optical goniometry using the pendant drop method.

Results:

The levels of 32 out of 110 lipids changed in the AH of FED eyes when compared to healthy controls. The concentration of most diacylglycerophosphocholines and 1-ether, 2 acylglycerophosphocholines increased in AH of FED eyeswhen compared to healthy controls. In addition, 9 sphingomyelins increased significantly in AH of FED eyes. Up to 2 long-chain highly unsaturated cholesteryl esters presented higher levels in AH of FED eyes when compared to controls. Statistically significant differences in surface tension were found between both groups.

Conclusions:

The lipid composition and surface tension of aqueous humor in FED patients show differences when compared with healthy subjects. Those changes might be related to pathological changes in the lipid metabolism of the corneal endothelial cells in FED.

Financial Disclosure:

One or more of the authors receives consulting fees, retainer, or contract payments from a competing company