Nucleotide levels in human and bovine lenses: a study on regional postmortem changes

Regional lens adenine nucleotide levels were determined in human and bovine lenses using sensitive HPLC techniques. In adult lenses of both species adenine nucleotide levels were highest in the anterior cortex (plus epithelium and capsule) followed by the posterior cortex (plus capsule) and lowest in the nucleus. With increasing lens age ATP level remained steady in the anterior cortex (plus epithelium and capsule) and nucleus, while those in the posterior cortex showed a tendency toward decrease. In both species, human as well as bovine, adenine nucleotide levels of the anterior cortex (plus epithelium and capsule) underwent early postmortem changes. Thus, immediate postmortem sampling as well as regional determinations are a must for detailed studies of lens nucleotide metabolism.