Skip to main content
Log in

Biophysical characteristics of the Meibomian lipid layer underin vitro conditions

  • Original Papers
  • Published:
International Ophthalmology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The biophysical behaviour of the Meibomian gland secretion was tested underin vitro conditions. Thereby, simultaneous recording of surface pressure and surface potential was performed. The Meibomian lipid layer was compared with other surface-active components like polyvinylalcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone. On the other hand, Eledoisin was tested as an example for a surface-inactive substance. An attempt was made to describe the biophysical interaction between a given artificial tear substitute and the Meibomian lipid layer. With respect to the surface potential Dipalmitoyl-phosphatidyl-choline was established as an analogue for Meibomian gland secretion. Fluorescence measurements in the presence of a cyanine dye (1 N,N′ dioctadecyloxacarbocyanine) were used as a method to localize the site of the characteristic potential change. From the fluorescence spectra under compression we conclude that the molecular change takes place at the lipid-subphase interface of the Meibomian lipid layer.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

DPPC:

dipalmitoyl-phosphatidyl-choline

MGS:

Meibomian gland secretion

PVA:

polyvinyl-alcohol

PVP:

polyvinyl-pyrrolidone

References

  1. Holly F, Lemp M. Wettability and wetting of corneal epithelium. Exp Eye Res 1971; 11: 239–50.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Holly F. Surface chemistry of tear film component analogues. J Colloid Interface Sci 1974; 49: 221–31.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Jaeger W, Möbius D, Kaercher T. Biophysical experiments with lipid-layers formed with Meibomian gland secretion. In: Holly F (ed) The preocular tear film in health, disease and contact lens wear. Lubbock, 1986: 609–21.

  4. Sondermann J. Darstellung oberflÄchenaktiver Polymeth-incyanin-Farbstoffe mit langen N-Alkyl-Ketten. Liebigs Ann Chem 1971; 749: 183–97.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Kuhn H, Möbius D, Bücher H. Spectroscopy of monolayer assemblies. In: Weissberger A, Rossiter B (eds) Physical methods of chemistry. Wiley and Sons, 1972: 577–702.

  6. Bertaccini G, de Caro G. The effect of Physalaemin and related polypeptides on salivary secretion. J Physiol 1965; 181: 68–81.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Vogel V, Möbius D. Local surface potentials and electric dipole moments of lipid monolayers: Contributions of the water-lipid and the lipid-air interfaces. J Colloid Interface Sci 1988; 126: 408–20.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Holly F. Surface chemical evaluation of artificial tears and their ingredients. Interaction with a superficial lipid layer. Contact and Intraocular Lens Med J 1978; 4: 52–65.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Kaercher T, Möbius D. StabilitÄt und FlexibilitÄt der Lipidschicht des TrÄnenfilms sowie deren pathologische VerÄnderungen im biophysikalischen Experiment. Fortschr Ophthalmol 1989; 86: 245–8.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Möbius D, Cordroch W, Loschek R, Chi L, Dhathathreyan A, Vogel V. Control of interfacial equilibria by local charge distribution and average surface potential. Thin Solid Films 1989; 178: 53–60.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kaercher, T., Möbius, D. & Welt, R. Biophysical characteristics of the Meibomian lipid layer underin vitro conditions. Int Ophthalmol 16, 167–176 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00916437

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00916437

Key words

Navigation