Biophysical characteristics of the Meibomian lipid layer under in vitro conditions

The biophysical behaviour of the Meibomian gland secretion was tested under in 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.