As most evidence was obtained from cell-based experiments, we studied the process in vivo

comatous eyes-- control groups). Evaluation of IOP and MAP were carried out one day before the next HA injection. Experimental protocols and treatments The animals (n = 5 in each group) were divided into six groups: (i) non-glaucomatous rats treated with saline (vehicle) (CTRL�untreated non-glaucomatous rats); (ii) non-glaucomatous rats treated with placebo inserts (CTRL + P+I�placebo non-glaucomatous rats); (iii) non-glaucomatous rats treated with DIZE inserts (CTRL + D+I�treated non-glaucomatous rats); (iv) glaucomatous rats treated with saline (vehicle) (GLAU�untreated glaucomatous rats); (v) glaucomatous rats treated with placebo inserts (GLAU + P+I�placebo glaucomatous rats); and (vi) glaucomatous rats treated with DIZE inserts (GLAU + D+I�treated glaucomatous rats). Only a single insert (1 mm x 2 mm) were placed in the fornix of the conjunctival sac of the lower eyelid after the establishment of ocular hypertension. In other words, the treatments initiated after confirmation of the elevated IOP, i.e. 1 week after the first injection of HA and get 2883-98-9 PubMed ID:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19667359 lasted for 4 weeks. Importantly, the inserts are mucoadhesive, i.e. they possess the ability to adhere to the ocular mucosa. In order to guarantee the adhesion process, the inserts were hydrated before the application in the eye and, as the administration of the insert was performed immediately after the HA injection, the animals were anesthetized during the application. Thus, expulsion of the inserts was minimized. In biodistribution studies (n = 6 in each group), the animals were divided into two groups: (i) non-glaucomatous rats treated with only one DIZE eye PubMed ID:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19665973 drop (DIZE eye drops) and (ii) nonglaucomatous rats treated with DIZE inserts (D+I). Histological analysis After enucle