A Comparison of Trabecular Meshwork Sphingolipids and Ceramides of Ocular Normotensive and Hypertensive States of DBA/2J Mice

Purpose: To determine the differential profiles of sphingomyelin, sphingoid base, sphingoid base-1-phosphate, and ceramide and their quantitative differences between trabecular meshwork (TM) derived from normotensive and hypertensive intraocular pressure states of DBA/2J mice. Methods: Normotensive and hypertensive state TM were collected from mice and analyzed. Lipid extraction was performed using the Bligh and Dyer method, and the protein concentrations were determined using the Bradford method. The lipids were identified and quantified using appropriate standards with a TSQ Quantum Access Max triple quadrupole mass spectrometer applying class-specific lipid identification settings. Results: The comparative profiles of sphingomyelin, sphingoid base, sphingoid base-1-phosphate, and ceramide between normotensive and hypertensive TM showed several species unique to a phase and as well common between states. Conclusion: The presence or absence of several sphingolipids and ceramides in the normotensive or hypertensive states may contribute to better understanding of the glaucomas