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Postmortem endocrine levels in the vitreous humor
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore
|October 1, 1986
Summary
The blood retinal barrier prevents lipid-soluble hormones like progesterone and estradiol from entering the vitreous humor. Larger glycoprotein hormones, however, are measurable, indicating unique barrier properties.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Endocrinology
- Physiology
Background:
- The blood retinal barrier (BRB) regulates the passage of substances into the eye.
- Understanding the BRB's selective permeability is crucial for ocular health and drug delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the permeability of the blood retinal barrier to various hormones.
- To compare the transport of lipid-soluble hormones versus glycoprotein hormones across the BRB.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of vitreous humor and serum samples from 51 autopsy cases.
- Assay of hormones including progesterone, estradiol, thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and prolactin.
Main Results:
- All assayed hormones were detectable in serum samples.
- Lipid-soluble hormones (progesterone, estradiol, T3, T4) were not detected in the vitreous humor.
- Larger glycoprotein hormones (TSH, FSH, LH, prolactin) were measurable in the vitreous humor.
Conclusions:
- The blood retinal barrier exhibits unique selective permeability properties.
- The BRB effectively restricts the passage of small, lipid-soluble molecules while allowing larger glycoprotein hormones to cross.