Therapeutic effect of bovine amniotic fluid in murine dry eye model

Abstract

This study investigated the therapeutic effect of bovine amniotic fluid (BAF) in dry eye (DE) model in 60 female BALB/c mice divided equally into 6 groups. Control group (CG) received 5 mu L formal saline and experimental groups 0.2% benzalkonium chloride in both eyes twice a day during 14 days. From 15 to 30 days while CG and DE group only was administered saline, other groups called BAF20, BAF35, BAF50 and BAF100 received 5 mu L 20, 35, 50 and 100% BAF three times a day, respectively. On day 15, in all experimental groups tear production decreased, tear break-up time shortened, corneal fluorescein staining score increased compared to baseline; on day 30, for these parameters the most effective BAF concentrations were 35%, 50% and 100%. According to western blot analysis the lowest levels were obtained in CG and BAF35 groups for tumor necrosis factora (TNF-alpha), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cytokeratin 10 (K10); CG for adiponectin receptor-1 (AdipoR1); BAF35 and CG for adiponectin receptor-2 (AdipoR2) (P < 0.05). In the immunohistochemical analysis the lowest levels were in CG, BAF35, BAF50 and BAF100 groups for TNF-alpha, VEGF and K10; CG, BAF35 and BAF50 groups for AdipoR1; CG, BAF20, BAF35 and BAF50 groups for AdipoR2 (P < 0.05). TUNEL method revealed a lower apoptotic cell score in all BAF groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion; moderate to high concentrations of BAF have the more beneficial effects on DE at molecular and clinical signs and it can be used for the treatment.