Development of a highly sensitive and reliable enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for MUC5AC in human tears extracted from Schirmer strips.

Purpose: Reliable measurement of MUC5AC in human tears is essential for elucidation of the pathophysiological role of MUC5AC in dry eye disease. The purpose of this study was to develop a sensitive and reliable method for measurement of MUC5AC in human tear samples extracted from Schirmer strips by modifying a commercially available ELISA.

Methods: MUC5AC was extracted from Schirmer strips containing human tears by PBS with various concentrations of polysorbate 20.

A Novel Model of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction Induced with Complete Freund's Adjuvant in Rabbits.

A novel meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) model induced by the injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in rabbits was developed to facilitate the understanding of the pathophysiology of MGD with meibomitis. In addition, we sought to evaluate treatment with steroid eye drops in this model. Male Japanese white rabbits were subcutaneously injected with CFA into the upper eyelid margin.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction Model in Hairless Mice Fed a Special Diet With Limited Lipid Content.

Purpose: A novel meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) model was developed to facilitate understanding of the pathophysiology of MGD and to evaluate treatment with azithromycin ophthalmic solution (azithromycin). MGD was induced in HR-1 hairless mice by feeding them a special diet with limited lipid content (HR-AD).

Methods: Male HR-1 hairless mice were fed an HR-AD diet for 16 weeks.

Tear volume estimation using a modified Schirmer test: a randomized, multicenter, double-blind trial comparing 3% diquafosol ophthalmic solution and artificial tears in dry eye patients.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using a modified Schirmer test to determine the increase in tear volume after administration of 3% diquafosol ophthalmic solution (diquafosol 3%) in dry eye patients.

Patients And Methods: A randomized, multicenter, prospective, double-blind clinical study recruited 50 qualified subjects. They received diquafosol 3% in one eye and artificial tears in the other eye.

Apafant, a potent platelet-activating factor antagonist, blocks eosinophil activation and is effective in the chronic phase of experimental allergic conjunctivitis in guinea pigs.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) plays important roles in allergic reactions. In particular, there are many concerns about PAF, eosinophils, and the chronicity of allergic diseases. The purpose of the present studies is to elucidate the role of PAF in eosinophil activation at conjunctiva and to confirm the efficacy of Apafant (a potent PAF antagonist) ophthalmic solution in chronic experimental allergic conjunctivitis.