Effect of the combination of lutein/zeaxanthin, curcumin and vit D (LCD) on Muc1, Muc4, Muc5, growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43), and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) benzalkonium chloride (BAC)-induced dry eye syndrome in rats. (n = 7 per group). Control: No treatment; Dry Eye: BAC-induced dry eye syndrome; LCD I; Dry Eye + LCD I: BAC-induced dry eye syndrome plus LCD I (100 mg/kg body weight); Dry Eye + LCD II: BAC-induced dry eye syndrome plus LCD II (200 mg/kg body weight). Data are expressed as percent of the control value. Western blot analysis (n = 3 at least) was performed with actin included to ensure equal protein loading. (ANOVA and Tukey′s post-hoc test. Statistical significance between groups is shown by: ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001; **** p < 0.0001 compared as control group; #
p < 0.05; ##
p < 0.01; ###
p < 0.001; ####
p < 0.0001 compared as Dry Eye group; $$
p < 0.01 compared as Dry Eye + LCD I group).