Ion-exchange chromatography of free amino acids in human intraocular fluids.

Free amino acids were determined in human aqueous, vitreous, and subretinal fluid (50 to 100 l) from individual eyes by using an ion-exchange chromatographic technique of increased sensitivity. The concentrations of amino acids in aqueous fluid from intraocular malignant melanomas were compared with those found for normal eyes, and some differences were observed. Other pathological conditions investigated were mongolism, intraocular hemangioma, uveitis, Sturge-Weber’s syndrome, and Marfan’s syndrome; only the latter two appeared to have a normal amino acid pattern. Vitreous and subretinal fluid each had a distinctive pattern, with the amino acid concentrations generally lower than in aqueous fluid, except for glu. tamine, which appeared to be of the same order of magnitude in all intraocular fluids and plasma. Postmortem and eye.bank aqueous fluids were also analyzed, and showed considerable variability from normal. The presence of an additional 28 unknown compounds was demonstrated in aqueous fluid.