TY - JOUR
T1 - Understanding and analyzing meibomian lipids : a review
AU - Butovich, Igor A.
AU - Millar, Thomas J.
AU - Ham, Bryan M.
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - Purpose: This review is intended to bring to the informed reader the current state of knowledge about meibomian lipids and the art for analyzing them. Methods: At the forefront of any endeavor, there are controversies, and these, along with future directions in the field, are brought to the reader's attention. Results: Function and anatomy of meibomian glands are briefly covered, giving insight into possible mechanisms for secretory controls. Anatomically, some anomalies in meibomian gland distribution of different species, such as whales versus dolphins, are presented, and, for the first time, the structure of the meibomian glands in a selection of marsupials is presented. In attempting to make the literature more accessible, lipid structure and nomenclature are described, and these structures are related to their possible effects on the physicochemical properties of meibomian lipids. The advantages and disadvantages of various collection and storage techniques are described, as well as how gas chromatography and combined HPLC and mass spectrometry coupled with fragmentation are currently enabling us to determine the nature of the lipids in very small samples. Conclusions: This review extends to discussing the lipids in tears (as opposed to meibomian gland lipids) and briefly highlights new thoughts about the interactions between proteins of the tear film and meibomian lipids. A model that includes proteins in the outer layer of the tear film is also presented. This model is currently being critically analyzed by the ocular community. It concludes briefly by highlighting possible further areas of research in this area.
AB - Purpose: This review is intended to bring to the informed reader the current state of knowledge about meibomian lipids and the art for analyzing them. Methods: At the forefront of any endeavor, there are controversies, and these, along with future directions in the field, are brought to the reader's attention. Results: Function and anatomy of meibomian glands are briefly covered, giving insight into possible mechanisms for secretory controls. Anatomically, some anomalies in meibomian gland distribution of different species, such as whales versus dolphins, are presented, and, for the first time, the structure of the meibomian glands in a selection of marsupials is presented. In attempting to make the literature more accessible, lipid structure and nomenclature are described, and these structures are related to their possible effects on the physicochemical properties of meibomian lipids. The advantages and disadvantages of various collection and storage techniques are described, as well as how gas chromatography and combined HPLC and mass spectrometry coupled with fragmentation are currently enabling us to determine the nature of the lipids in very small samples. Conclusions: This review extends to discussing the lipids in tears (as opposed to meibomian gland lipids) and briefly highlights new thoughts about the interactions between proteins of the tear film and meibomian lipids. A model that includes proteins in the outer layer of the tear film is also presented. This model is currently being critically analyzed by the ocular community. It concludes briefly by highlighting possible further areas of research in this area.
UR - http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/554042
U2 - 10.1080/02713680802018419
DO - 10.1080/02713680802018419
M3 - Article
SN - 0271-3683
VL - 33
SP - 405
EP - 420
JO - Current Eye Research
JF - Current Eye Research
IS - 45448
ER -