ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To investigate the metabolic profile of the rabbit lens using high resolution 1H NMR spectroscopy including two-dimensional shift correlated (COSY) technique. METHODS: Perchloric acid extracts of the rabbit lens were analysed with a Bruker AM-500 spectrometer and the metabolites were assigned in the spectra. Some of these were also quantified. RESULTS: More than 20 metabolites were detected in the perchloric acid extract of a single lens, including amino acids, nucleotides and other related compounds. Of particular importance is the ability to detect and identify glutathione, myoinositol, scyllo-inositol and taurine. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated the potential of 1H NMR spectroscopy for monitoring the metabolic profile of the lens in normal and pathologic conditions.
