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Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution

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Drug distribution in the human body is influenced by several factors, including plasma protein concentration, body composition, blood flow, tissue-protein concentration, and tissue fluid pH. Among these, changes in plasma protein concentration and body composition due to aging significantly affect how drugs are distributed within the body. Specifically, aging is associated with a decrease in albumin levels by about 10% and an increase in α1-acid glycoprotein levels. These alterations are not...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Preparation and Immunofluorescence Staining of Bundles and Single Fiber Cells from the Cortex and Nucleus of the Eye Lens

Preparation and Immunofluorescence Staining of Bundles and Single Fiber Cells from the Cortex and Nucleus of the Eye Lens

Published on: June 9, 2023

Sphingolipid distribution changes with age in the human lens.

Jane M Deeley¹, Joseph A Hankin, Michael G Friedrich

¹Schools of Chemistry, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.

Journal of Lipid Research

|June 16, 2010

Summary

Age-related changes in lens sphingolipids, particularly dihydrosphingomyelin, may form an internal barrier, contributing to age-related nuclear cataract development. These lipid alterations impact fiber cell membrane properties.

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Published on: May 3, 2016

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Last Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Preparation and Immunofluorescence Staining of Bundles and Single Fiber Cells from the Cortex and Nucleus of the Eye Lens

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Published on: June 9, 2023

Sequential Application of Glass Coverslips to Assess the Compressive Stiffness of the Mouse Lens: Strain and Morphometric Analyses

Sequential Application of Glass Coverslips to Assess the Compressive Stiffness of the Mouse Lens: Strain and Morphometric Analyses

Published on: May 3, 2016

Area of Science:

Ophthalmology
Biochemistry
Cell Biology

Background:

Age-related nuclear (ARN) cataract is linked to an internal lens barrier.
Lens membrane lipid changes with age are a potential cause for this barrier.

Purpose of the Study:

Investigate the effect of aging on sphingomyelin distribution in the human lens.
Determine if sphingomyelin alterations correlate with the formation of an age-related lens barrier.

Main Methods:

MALDI mass spectrometry imaging of human lens sections.
ESI mass spectrometry analysis of lipid extracts from dissected lens regions.
Analysis of 18 human lenses aged 20-72 years.

Main Results:

A distinct annular distribution of dihydrosphingomyelin (d18:0/16:0) was observed in the lens barrier region of older individuals (64 and 70 years) but not younger ones (23 years).
Dihydroceramide (d18:0/16:0) increased in the lens nucleus of older lenses.
Sphingomyelin levels in the lens barrier region increased with age, plateauing around 40 years.

Conclusions:

Age-associated changes in sphingomyelin and dihydroceramide distribution are identified in the human lens.
These lipid composition changes likely impact fiber cell membrane properties.
Alterations in lens sphingolipids may be associated with the development of the internal barrier implicated in age-related nuclear cataract.