Group IIA phospholipase A2 content of tears in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

PURPOSE

To determine the concentration of group IIA phospholipase A2 (GIIAPLA(2)) in tears of patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) and to compare it with the GIIAPLA(2) content of tears in age-matched healthy controls.

METHODS

The GIIAPLA(2)content of tears was measured with time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay in 20 patients with KCS (mean age 70.7+/-8.7 years) and in 20 normal subjects (mean age 70.2+/-9.9 years).

RESULTS

The GIIAPLA(2)content of tears in patients with KCS was 75.8+/-54.2 microg/ml and in normal subjects it was 34.2+/-21.4 microg/ml. The difference was statistically significant. In patients with KCS the GIIAPLA(2) concentration slightly increased with decreasing Schirmer test values (Spearman's correlation =-0.20)

CONCLUSION

The results of this study indicate that in patients with KCS the relative concentration of GIIAPLA(2) of tears was increased due to decreased aqueous production in the lacrimal glands and better preservation of the acinar cells in the central parts of the lobules of the lacrimal glands producing GIIAPLA(2).