title: Locomotor differences in Mongolian gerbils with the effects of midazolam administration in the form of eye drops.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Midazolam is a sedative-hypnotic agent with amnestic and anticonvulsant properties that can be administrated to mammals through various routes, such as intravenous, intramuscular, oral, intrathecal, rectal, and buccal. Midazolam administration in the form of eye drops through the conjunctiva is not reported in the literature.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to demonstrate the possible central nervous system effects of midazolam administration as eyes drops in Mongolian gerbils.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen gerbils were randomly assigned to one of two equal sized groups. The active arm received 2 ml of 10 mg midazolam as eye drops in both eyes. Control group received a total of 2 ml of physiological saline (0.9% NaCl). We subjected the gerbils to an adapted "Open Field" to determine the possible effects on central nervous system of midazolam. Gerbils were allowed to move freely in the open field. Before and after the drug administration, locomotor activities of each gerbil have been recorded. Frequency of loss of righting reflex was quantified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Conjunctival midazolam administration resulted with the transient loss of righting reflex (p=0.017) and suppressed exploration motion (p=0.018) in the open field test compared to control subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the present study, administration of conjunctival midazolam as an eye drop may affect gerbil's locomotor activities and open field behaviors. We argue that, using a sedative and anticonvulsive drug such as midazolam via conjunctival route may be useful in some clinical situations. Therefore, it could be beneficial to develop a new conjunctival formulation of midazolam. Also, there is a need for trials in humans with pharmacokinetic studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Abant Izzet Baysal University Medical School, Bolu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Akcan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akkaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Abant Izzet Baysal University Medical School, Bolu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Umit Y
authors.initials: UY
authors.lastname: Tekelioglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Abant Izzet Baysal University Medical School, Bolu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Demirhan
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Abant Izzet Baysal University Medical School, Bolu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mesut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Erdurmus
authors.affiliation: Department of Head & Neck Surgery, Abant Izzet Baysal University Medical School, Bolu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tayfun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Apuhan
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Abant Izzet Baysal University Medical School, Bolu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bayir
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Abant Izzet Baysal University Medical School, Bolu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erol
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ayaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Abant Izzet Baysal University Medical School, Bolu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kocoglu
mesh_terms: D060433:Administration, Ophthalmic; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D005849:Gerbillinae; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects*; D008874:Midazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008874:Midazolam
keywords: Conjunctival midazolam; Eye drop; New administration route; Righting reflex