Lipid biomarkers of lens aging

Lipids are important structural components of cell membranes and have profound effect on membrane fluidity. Lipid profiling and lipidomics have captured increased attention due to the well-recognized roles of lipids in numerous human diseases. Investigating lipid profiles not only provides insights into the specific roles of lipid molecular species in health and diseases, but can also help in identifying potential preventive or therapeutic biomarkers. Cataract, the loss of transparency of eye lens, is a disease of protein aggregation. There are several factors contributing to the stability in protein conformation. Age-related changes in lipid composition could be a contributing factor for altered protein-lipid interaction leading to protein aggregation and cataract. Keeping this in view, in the present study, fatty acid profiling from different age groups of lenses was carried out, using a freshwater catfish as the model. Total lipids were extracted from lenses of three different age groups of fishes (young, adult, and aged) and fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) were prepared and FAME analysis was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results showed that three fatty acids viz. heneicosylic acid (C21), docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6), nervonic acid (C24:1) which were not present in the adult lens, appeared in the aged lens. On the other hand, eicosenoic acid (C20:1) present in the adult lens was found to be absent in the aged lens. The appearance or disappearance of these fatty acids can possibly serve as biomarkers of aging lens which is the most vulnerable stage for cataract development.