Ion Exchange Chromatography of free Amino Acids in Aqueous Fluid and Lens of the Human Eye

¹ Alfred I. du Pont Institute, Wilmington, Del. 19899.
² Alfred I. du Pont Institute, Wilmington, Del. 19899.; Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmington Medical Center, Wilmington, Del. 19899.
³ Alfred I. du Pont Institute Wilmington, Del. 19899.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the free amino acid concentrations in human eye material. Analyses were done on individual specimens of anterior aqueous fluid and lens with an ion exchange chromatographic technique of increased sensitivity. Data are given for the free amino acid concentrations in anterior aqueous fluid from 1 normal and 2 malignant melanomas and 14 cataractous eyes, as well as 7 primary and 3 secondary aqueous fluid samples from aphakic eyes. Free amino acid concentrations are also reported for 12 senile cataractous lenses and 2 clear contralateral eye bank lenses. The relative concentrations of free amino acids in aqueous fluid, plasma, and cerebrospinal fluid of a healthy volunteer are shown and some aqueous fluid/plasma ratios are given. A typical chromatogram of an anterior aqueous fluid and two chromatograms of the general types of cataract lenses observed are included. In the aqueous fluid the presence of 27, and in the lens, 26, unidentified peaks are indicated.