Generation of lipoxygenase products in the avascular tissues of the eye.

We have examined the ability of the avascular cornea and lens to generate lipoxygenase products from arachidonic acid. The cornea and lens were obtained from rabbit and frog eyes, and their ability to metabolize exogenous [14C]-arachidonic acid determined in vitro. The cornea of rabbits and frogs formed lipoxygenase products from arachidonic acid. Both rabbit and frog corneas were found to generate considerable quantities of 12-HETE, although other lipoxygenase products were also produced. In contrast, no lipoxygenase products were detected following incubations of rabbit or frog lens with arachidonic acid. Thus, the cornea and lens, the two avascular tissues in the eye, exhibit marked differences in their ability to metabolize arachidonic acid via lipoxygenase enzymes.