Assumpta Peral

..The latter would seem to be an interesting target in the development of antiglaucomatous drugs to selectively increase AH outflow...

..These compounds come from different families of therapies, and among others, can be found in the form of steroidal and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents, vitamins A and D, neurotransmitters and neuropeptides...

..To describe a new method of visualizing human conjunctiva goblet cell mucin secretion by using a combination of impression cytology and laser scanning microscopy...

..To analyze the levels of the diadenosine polyphosphates Ap4A and Ap5A in tears, in a set of control subjects and in groups of symptomatic and nonsymptomatic persons with dry eye...

..The most effective compounds were also well tolerated in a battery of standard ocular surface irritation studies. The implication of these findings to the design of novel drugs to treat ocular hypertension is discussed...

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..Therefore, the use of 5-MCA-NAT may be possible in the treatment of ocular hypertension and glaucoma...

..beta,gamma-meATP seems to stimulate cholinergic terminals being its final effect the IOP reduction. Therefore, these two nucleotides are interesting pharmacological tools for those pathologies related with high intraocular pressure...

..To investigate the role of ERK1/2 and RhoA/ROCK intracellular pathways in the modification of corneal re-epithelialization when stimulated by the diadenosine polyphosphates Ap(4)A and Ap(3)A...

..Antagonists of adrenoceptors and cholinoceptors were able to partially reverse the effect of this nucleotide; this might indicate a connection with the neural mechanisms that control the intraocular pressure...

..Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade inhibitors also abolished the effects of UTP, suggesting that P2Y receptors are coupled to the MAPK cascade, and that this is involved in controlling the rate of epithelial cell migration...

..To analyze the levels of diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap(4)A) and diadenosine pentaphosphate (Ap(5)A) in tears of subjects with Sjögren syndrome and to compare them with those in a control group...

..4+/-1.3 ng/microl respectively. In conclusion, diadenosine polyphosphates are released from the corneal epithelium, they stimulate tear production and therefore they may be considered as physiological modulators of tear secretion...

..The P2Y(11) was also detectable in the retinal pigmented epithelium. The detailed distribution of the receptors clearly supports the recent findings indicating the relevant role of nucleotides in the ocular function...

..This indicates that the sympathetic nervous system is involved in the production and drainage of aqueous humour by the ciliary body and trabecular meshwork, and that it mediates the effects of melatonin and its analogue, 5-MCA-NAT...

..Furthermore, we suggest that topical application of Ap4A to the cornea has therapeutic potential for lowering intraocular pressure, a major risk factor for glaucoma...

..In the present study, the involvement of P2Y(2) receptors in the hypertensive effect of nucleotides was investigated by use of antagonists and of a siRNA designed for the P2Y(2) receptor...

..For this reason, we suggest these molecules as a potential treatment for the reinforcement of the tear film barrier against ocular infection...

..Altogether, diadenosine polyphosphates are not only dinucleotides with roles in the physiology of the eye but it is also possible that their properties may serve to help in the treatment of some ocular pathologies...

..Melatonin combined with Ap(4)A may be useful for treating dry eye conditions...

..To measure the increase in tear secretion evoked by selective stimulation of the different populations of sensory receptors of the cornea and conjunctiva by using moderate and intense mechanical, chemical, and cold stimuli...