The study of tear sampling method--comparison of the components of meniscus tears and lacrimal duct tears
Ishida, T.; Hiraki, S.; Nakamura, Y.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi 91(4): 473-480
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-0203 PMID: 3618396 Document Number: 301610
Glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid (AsA), Albumin, tear-specific proteins and CTM (administered into the vein) in the meniscus tear of rabbits were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The meniscus tear samples were collected by four sampling methods, the glass microcapillary method (MC), the meniscus filter paper method (the method of collecting the meniscus tear without contacting with conjunctival tissue:mFP), Schirmer's method (SMR), the filter paper disc method (the method of collecting the tear by inserting into the conjunctival sac a filter paper disc 5mm in diameter:FPD). The concentration of each component in the conjunctival tissue and the tear in the lacrimal gland duct was measured by HPLC in order to examine the origin. The concentrations of GSH, AsA and albumin in the meniscus tear collected by MC were low, but the concentration of each component in the meniscus tear collected by filter paper increased in the order of mFP, SMR and FPD and gradually approached the concentration in the conjunctival tissue. GSH was zero in the tear of the lacrimal gland duct and the source of GSH in the meniscus tear was considered to be conjunctival tissue. There was no difference between the tear in the lacrimal gland duct and the meniscus tear collected by MC in the concentration of CTM, but CTM concentration in the meniscus tear collected by filter paper was higher. Therefore, the origin of CTM in the meniscus tear was considered to be the lacrimal gland tissue. There was no difference among the four sampling methods in the concentration of tear specific protein. These results suggested that tear sampling method by the filter paper method caused damage to the conjunctival surface. Therefore, in sampling meniscus tear, the glass microcapillary method should be used in order to avoid inclusion of materials produced by stimulus of or damage to the conjunctiva at tear sampling.