The Di- and triesters of the lipids of steer and human meibomian glands

Three groups of diesters have been isolated and identified in the lipids of steer meibomian glands. The first group, designated as α Type I, with the abbreviated formula FA-αOHFA-FA1c, consisted of α-hydroxy fatty acids esterified to fatty acids and fatty alcohols in the approximate molar ratio 1∶1∶1. The second group, designated as ω Type I-St, with the abbreviated formula FA-ωOHF A-St, consisted of ω-hydroxy fatty acids esterified to fatty acids and sterols in the approximate molar ratio 1∶1∶1. The third group, designated as α,ω Type II, with the abbreviated formula FA-α,ωdiol-FA, consisted of α,ω-diols esterified to 2 moles of fatty acids. The sum of the different diesters comprised about 9% of total steer meibomian lipids.