Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 2, 2026

Establishing a Porcine Ex Vivo Cornea Model for Studying Drug Treatments against Bacterial Keratitis
Published on: May 12, 2020
Evaluation of 2 ex vivo Bovine Cornea Storage Protocols for Drug Delivery Applications
Sachin S Thakur1, Darshan Shrestha1, Ilva D Rupenthal2
1Buchanan Ocular Therapeutics Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Abstract:
The use of corneal tissue for ex vivo therapeutic evaluations is limited due to its rapid loss of viability after excision. Optimization of storage conditions may allow prolonged retention of physical tissue properties. In this study, we evaluated how storage in optimized organ culture (OC) medium at 37°C or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at 2-8°C impacted physical properties of bovine corneas. Tissue hydration, permeability and histology were monitored at baseline and following 1, 4 and 7 days of storage. Corneas stored in OC demonstrated significantly higher hydration and permeability when compared to those stored in PBS. Histology revealed that storage in OC consistently caused detachment of the epithelial layer by day 4 of storage, whereas both storage conditions caused a significant increase in stromal thickness and tissue vacuolation. This study highlights the limitations of currently available corneal tissue storage approaches for ex vivo drug permeation studies.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Delivery: Overview
Enteral delivery involves administering drugs directly through swallowing, sublingual placement, or buccal application. Orally administered drugs predominantly navigate the...
Storage
Drug Delivery: Enteral Route
Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...
Drug Delivery: Miscellaneous Routes
Oral inhalation and nasal sprays swiftly transfer drugs across the respiratory epithelium's mucosal layer. Inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators directly target lung conditions such as asthma, while fluticasone nasal spray mitigates allergic rhinitis.
Transdermal patches transport drugs...
Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists
One class of bronchodilators includes β2-adrenoceptor agonists. These agents target the β2-adrenoceptors located on bronchial smooth muscle cells. By stimulating these receptors, β2-agonists induce...

