Figure 1.
Swelling index of PI and BI in a buffered solution medium (PBS; pH 7.4).
Values expressed as mean ± SD.
Figure 2.
ATR-FTIR spectra of PI (a) and BI (b).
BIM shifted first band to a higher frequency (from 3258 to 3264 cm−1) and widened (arrow).
Figure 3.
(a) First run; (b) second run.
Figure 4.
Representative SEM photomicrographs of Bimatoprost-loaded inserts.
(a) surface; (b) lateral. Bar indicates the thickness of the insert.
Figure 5.
In vitro release profile of BIM from BI.
Values expressed as mean ± SD.
Figure 6.
99mTc-BIM biodistribution profile after eye drops instillation and chitosan inserts implantation.
Values are expressed as ‘mean ± SD’ (n = 5). (*p<0.05 for 8 h vs. 18 h and #p<0.05 for eye drops vs. inserts). Unpaired Student t test.
Figure 7.
Effects of administration of BI on IOP.
(a) Glaucomatous groups; (b) non-glaucomatous groups. Treatments initiated after confirmation of the elevated IOP, i.e. after second week. Values expressed as mean ± SD. *p<0.01 vs. untreated. One-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey post test.
Figure 8.
Effects of administration of BI on RGC counting.
Quantification of RCG in retinas of (a) glaucomatous groups, compared to control (*p<0.05 vs. control and #p<0.05 vs. untreated glaucoma) and (b) non-glaucomatous groups. Values expressed as mean ± SD. One-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey post test.
Figure 9.
Histological analysis of retinal ganglion cells (RGC).
Representative photomicrographs of retinas showing the smaller number of RCG in non-treated and PI-treated glaucomatous rats and the beneficial effect of BIM in this parameter. (a) Non-glaucomatous animals; (b) untreated glaucomatous animals; (c) PI glaucomatous animals; (d) BIM eye drops glaucomatous animals; (e) BI glaucomatous animals.
Figure 10.
BIM induced neuroprotection in retinas of glaucomatous rats.
Representative photomicrographs of excavation of the optic nerve (arrows). (a) Non-glaucomatous animals; (b) untreated glaucomatous animals; (c) PI glaucomatous animals; (d) BIM eye drops glaucomatous animals; (e) BI glaucomatous animals. Note an exacerbation of the excavation in untreated and PI glaucomatous animals (b and c) when compared with all other groups. This effect is reverted by BIM.