Relation between Meibomian gland dysfunction and the content of prostaglandin E₂ in the secretions and tears

AIM:To investigate the correlation between the severity of Meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD)and the prostaglandin E2(PGE2)content in Meibomian gland secretions and tear. METHODS:Seventy-two patients with MGD were divided into mild to moderate group(36 patients with 60 eyes)and severe group(36 patients with 60 eyes).The content of PGE2 in Meibomian gland secretions and tear were tested by ELISA. Thirty healthy adults(60 eyes)were chosen as the control group which were only tested for PGE2 in tear. RESULTS:The differences of the content of PGE2 in tear in the three groups were significant(F=100.26,P<0.01),and that in the severe group was higher than that in the mild to moderate group(t=5.789,P<0.01)and the control group(t=7.468,P<0.01). There was no significant difference of the content of PGE2 in tear between the mild to moderate group and control group(t=0.923,P>0.05). The differences of the content of PGE2 in Meibomian gland secretions in three groups were significant and that in the severe group was much higher than that in the mild to moderate group(F=151.76,P<0.01).The content of PGE2 in Meibomian gland secretions were positive correlated to the content of PGE2 in tears in severe group(r=0.71,P<0.01); the content of PGE2 in Meibomian gland secretions was positive correlated to the content of PGE2 in tears in mild to moderate group(r=0.30,P<0.05). CONCLUSION:The level of PGE2 in Meibomian gland secretions and tears plays an important role in judging the severity of MGD and guiding clinical rational drug use.