Dilution of Microbicide Gels With Vaginal Fluid and Semen Simulants: Effect on Rheological Properties and Coating Flow

Antifungal Activity of the Noncytotoxic Human Peptide Hepcidin 20 against Fluconazole-Resistant Candida glabrata in Human Vaginal Fluid

“…Considering that the average volume of vaginal fluid ranges from 0.5 to 0.75 ml (21), in our experiments VFS was diluted 4-fold to mimic fluid dilution by a vaginal suppository (20,21).…”

“…The fungicidal activity of Hep-20 against BPY44 was evaluated in a microdilution assay performed in VFS 4-fold-diluted in sterile deionized water to mimic average fluid dilution induced by vaginal suppository (21).…”

Zinc Acetate/Carrageenan Gels Exhibit Potent Activity In Vivo against High-Dose Herpes Simplex Virus 2 Vaginal and Rectal Challenge

“…Gels were tested undiluted and also after a 20% (vol/vol) dilution with human vaginal fluid simulant to mimic dilution by cervicovaginal fluids (40). Viscosity was obtained by controlled stress measurements that created a range of shear rates (10 Ϫ3 to 10 2 s Ϫ1 ) characteristic of those experienced during vaginal spreading by a gel (28). Yield stress (undiluted or diluted gels) was obtained by measuring the residual stress at 37°C in a Brookfield model 5HB DV-III Ultra rheometer (Brookfield Engineering Laboratories, Middleboro, MA) (28).…”

“…Viscosity was obtained by controlled stress measurements that created a range of shear rates (10 Ϫ3 to 10 2 s Ϫ1 ) characteristic of those experienced during vaginal spreading by a gel (28). Yield stress (undiluted or diluted gels) was obtained by measuring the residual stress at 37°C in a Brookfield model 5HB DV-III Ultra rheometer (Brookfield Engineering Laboratories, Middleboro, MA) (28). The rheological data were fit to a constitutive equation, the Carreau model, which characterized the relationship between the viscosity of the gel and its local shear rate (28).…”

“…Yield stress (undiluted or diluted gels) was obtained by measuring the residual stress at 37°C in a Brookfield model 5HB DV-III Ultra rheometer (Brookfield Engineering Laboratories, Middleboro, MA) (28). The rheological data were fit to a constitutive equation, the Carreau model, which characterized the relationship between the viscosity of the gel and its local shear rate (28). These results were input to computations of coated area versus time, using a biomechanical model of spreading of the gel (24).…”