Lipoproteins and lipids in cow and human aqueous humor

The aqueous humor of the cow and human was examined for the presence of lipids and lipoproteins. Whole aqueous humor collected from cow eyes within 30 min after slaughter contained about 1 micrograms/ml of cholesterol and phospholipid. Upon fractionation of bovine aqueous into various density ranges following sequential ultracentrifugations , about 99% of the total cholesterol was recovered at a density of greater than 1.063. Apolipoprotein A-I, the major apolipoprotein of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), was the major protein seen upon electrophoresis of the 1.063-1.21 fraction. Particles of about 80 A mean diameter were observed by electron microscopy in the 1.063-1.21 fraction. Using rocket immunoelectrophoresis, a concentration of about 2 micrograms/ml of apolipoprotein A-I was measured in cow aqueous humor and slightly less in aqueous humor from the adult human collected post-mortem (1-36 h). In conclusion, aqueous humor of cow and man appears to contain about 4 micrograms/ml of HDL and it is likely the sole lipoprotein in this fluid. The potential importance of this lipoprotein in supplying lipids to the lens is discussed.