Metabolic status of fresh v eye-bank-processed corneas. A phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance study
J. V. Greiner, J. H. Lass and T. Glonek
The concentrations of corneal phosphatic metabolites in fresh and
eye-bank-processed corneas were measured by phosphorus 31 nuclear magnetic
resonance of perchloric acid corneal extracts to determine whether
metabolic differences exist between these two corneal preparations. Cat
corneas were prepared using an eye-bank protocol, including specular
microscopic examination and transport to a distant location. Fresh cat
corneas were used as controls. The hexose 6-phosphate resonance band, the
nucleoside monophosphate band, the phosphodiesters, and adenosine
triphosphate of eye-bank-processed corneas were significantly decreased
relative to fresh control corneas. Phosphatic metabolites that
significantly increased relative to control corneas included inorganic
orthophosphate and phosphocreatine. A calculated corneal tissue-energy
index was significantly decreased for eye-bank-processed corneas relative
to control. This decline demonstrates a compromise in the metabolic energy
status of the tissue and is indicative of a diminished ability of the
cornea to maintain its complement of high-energy phosphates.