Analysis of human aqueous humour by high resolution 1H NMR spectroscopy

High-resolution proton NMR spectra from nine samples of human aqueous humour extracted from the anterior chamber of the eye are reported. They were obtained within the order of 45 min from small volumes (ca 0.3 ml) of sample with minimal pretreatment and the method was non-destructive. Metabolites detected included acetate, acetoacetate, alanine, ascorbate, citrate, creatine, formate, glucose, glutamine-glutamate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, lactate, threonine and valine. Concentrations of lactate, valine, alanine and acetate were determined. These novel metabolite profiles may be of value in the study of clinical disorders.