Chemical Properties of Human Amniotic Membrane for Potential Opthalmological Use

Abstract

Human amniotic membrane (hAM) allows the exchange of water and organic and inorganic substances between the amniotic fluid, the fetus, and the maternal circulation. Our paper is aimed at determining the chemical composition of the amniotic membrane and at comparing it with the chemical structure of the tears, in order to identify possible uses of the amniotic membrane in eye surgery. In order to determine the chemical composition of hAM we sampled 7 pieces of fresh amniotic membrane, which were processed to create cell homogenate. The chemical tests run on the amniotic membrane specimens in our research revealed the following values: mean glucose concentration = 3mg/100mL and mean total protein concentration = 0.07g/100mL; the electrolyte concentration was: Na+ =152 mEq/L; K+=5.74 mEq/L; Cl- =131.6 mEq/L, and pH=7.2, whereas the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) = 1.1�0.1 mmol/L. These values are similar to those determined by other authors for the amniotic membrane, which resemble those reported for the chemical composition of tear and aqueous humor. To conclude with, the human amniotic membrane is a useful biological material in ophthalmological transplant.