The Spectrophotometric Sulfo‐Phospho‐Vanillin Assessment of Total Lipids in Human Meibomian Gland Secretions

• DOI: 10.1007/s11745-013-3755-9
• Publication Date: 2013-01-23T07:50:06Z
• Authors: Anne McMahon; Hua Lu; Igor A. Butovich
• Keywords: Meibomian gland

Human meibomian gland secretions (meibum) are the major lipid component of human preocular tear film. The predominant classes found in meibum include waxes (WE), cholesteryl esters (CE), and varying amounts cholesterol (Chl). classical sulfo-phospho-vanillin assay (SPVA), adapted for a microplate reader, was used to quantitate lipids meibum. To account reactivities different SPVA, model mixture (MMx) that approximated WE/CE/Chl composition developed lipids. overall SPV responses MMx were be close, with similar intermediate final reaction products both. Saturated WE had not been expected reactive SPV-positive. A mechanism these compounds SPVA which involves formation alkenyl ethers is proposed discussed. Tested proteins non-reactive SPVA. Thus, by comparing results gravimetric analyses samples properly calibrated it estimated SPV-reactive content dry tested about 78 % (w/w). method can also adopted analyzing other types complex secretions, such as sebum, well whole extracts from lipid-enriched organs tissues, if proper standards chosen.