[Metabolic analysis of the diseased human corneal endothelium]

Redox states of the corneal endothelium in 42 recipient corneas obtained at the penetrating keratoplasty were measured non-invasively using ocular redox fluorometry. Autofluorescence from reduced pyridine nucleotides (PN) and oxidized flavoproteins (Fp) were measured, and the PN/Fp ratio was used as an indicator of the redox state. Endothelial damage was graded as normal, mildly damaged, moderately damaged, and severely damaged, based on the histopathological findings. Mildly damaged endothelium showed a significantly higher PN/Fp ratio than the that in normal endothelium whereas the ratio was significantly lower in the severely damaged endothelium. These changes in the redox state may represent compensation and decompensation processes of the endothelial metabolism. Ocular redox fluorometry was shown to be useful for the evaluation of the metabolic state in the human corneal endothelium.