Fig. 8
Histological assessment for corneal protection and anti-apoptosis capability. (a) Histological images of corneal epithelium, (b) corneal epithelial thickness, (c) relative TUNEL area of the cornea and (d) TUNEL staining mean fluorescence intensity of corneal epithelium in rabbit eyes at preoperation (Pre) and those with experimentally induced dry eye (DED) before and after 4 days of topical administration of various formulations. DED-induced animals receiving ATS without polymers and drug serve as control group (Ctrl). Scale bars: 50 μm. Values are mean ± SD (n = 6). *p < 0.05 vs. all groups; #p < 0.05 vs. Pre, DED, p(MPC1-co-DMA1), p(MPC3-co-DMA1), and p(MPC6-co-DMA1) groups; ^p < 0.05 vs. DED, Ctrl, CsA, p(MPC), p(MPC3-co-DMA1), and p(MPC6-co-DMA1) groups