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Effects of Aging on Human Meibum
Igor A Butovich1,2, Tomo Suzuki3,4
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|September 21, 2021
Summary
Aging has minimal impact on meibum lipid composition in healthy individuals without dry eye or meibomian gland dysfunction. Lipidomic analysis revealed high similarities between young and elderly groups, indicating aging does not significantly alter meibogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Lipidomics
- Aging Research
Background:
- Aging is linked to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) and Dry Eye (DE).
- MGD and DE involve abnormal meibum secretion and composition.
- The chemical basis for aging's effect on meibum lipids is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of aging on meibum lipid composition.
- To determine if aging impacts meibogenesis in a healthy population.
- To establish the chemical basis for the connection between aging, MGD, and DE.
Main Methods:
- Lipidomic analysis of meibum samples from young (29±5 years) and elderly (68±7 years) subjects.
- Comparison of intact lipid species using untargeted and targeted lipidomic approaches.
- Analysis of specific lipid species via liquid-chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS).
Main Results:
- High similarity in meibum lipid profiles between young and elderly groups.
- Minor changes observed in individual lipid species.
- No statistically significant differences in lipid esterification, elongation, or unsaturation patterns.
Conclusions:
- Chronological aging has a minimal effect on meibogenesis in healthy individuals.
- Aging does not significantly alter meibum lipid composition in the absence of MGD/DE.
- Further research may explore other factors influencing meibum changes with age.
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