Metabolic profile of keratoconic cornea.

PURPOSE: To investigate the difference in metabolic profile of keratoconic and normal corneas using two different analysis methods.

METHODS

Keratoconic corneas were obtained from patients (aged 19-27) during transplantation surgery. Control samples were obtained from human donors (aged 61-75) 1-8 h post-mortem. The metabolic profile of tissues was investigated with high-resolution magic angle spinning (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTS

Nine amino acids and 20 metabolites were assigned with HPLC and NMR spectroscopy, respectively. No significant biochemical difference was revealed between keratoconic and control samples, which represent distant age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

It suggests that development of keratoconus might be related to the accelerated ageing of the cornea. This issue warrants further studies.