Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 3 complete abstracts (718 words), 9 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
The homogeneous mixtures formed by the mixing of a solid, liquid, or gaseous substance (solute) with a liquid (the solvent), from which the dissolved substances can be recovered by physical processes. (From Grant and Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed)
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Solution.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Pharmaceutical Preparations
- Narrower topics
- Contact Lens Solutions; Hypertonic Solutions; Hypotonic Solutions; Isotonic Solutions; Organ Preservation Solutions; Pharmaceutical Solutions; Rehydration Solutions
- See also
- Pharmaceutical Solutions
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 127,525 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Solutions” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 11,222 of them (8.8%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 53,514 records.
Reviews account for 8,170 records (6.4%) and meta-analyses for 658. Randomized controlled trials number 7,694 (6.0%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 53,514 |
| 2000-2009 | 31,462 |
| 2010-2019 | 31,327 |
| 2020 onward | 11,222 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 8,170 | 6.4% |
| Meta-analyses | 658 | 0.5% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 7,694 | 6.0% |
Method: PubMed query "Solutions"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in drugs and chemicals
Studies of a chemical or drug can answer very different questions: what it is and how it behaves in cells and animals, how the body handles it, and whether it changes outcomes in people. Laboratory and animal findings often do not carry over to patients, and observational studies of exposures are confounded by who uses a substance and why. Nothing on this page is a recommendation to use, avoid, start or stop any substance or medicine; talk to a qualified clinician or pharmacist about your own situation. Check the dose, the species, the comparison group and whether a patient-relevant outcome was measured.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSC-encapsulated porous microparticle eye drops for autoimmune dry eye disease treatment in NOD mice | 2025 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 12 | cc by PMID 40991713 · DOI · PMC12459467 |
| Computational Modelling Suggests Bacteriostatic Saline Does Not Reverse Botulinum Toxin-Induced Brow Ptosis | 2025 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 5 | cc by PMID 41150199 · DOI · PMC12568129 |
| The Saline-Immersion/Irrigation TEchnique for Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection of Colorectal Lesions: Outcomes From a Large Western Cohort | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 5 | cc by PMID 41338182 · DOI · PMC13020653 |
MSC-encapsulated porous microparticle eye drops for autoimmune dry eye disease treatment in NOD mice [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Dry eye disease (DED) is characterized by chronic inflammation and an unstable tear film.
- Closing excerpt
- Our microcarrier system substantially improves stem cell delivery efficiency for treating autoimmune DED.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (153 words)
Dry eye disease (DED) is characterized by chronic inflammation and an unstable tear film. Stem cells have shown potential for DED treatment, but the main challenge lies in improving cell delivery effectiveness. Here, we developed eye drops for autoimmune DED treatment using porous arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD)-modified alginate microcarriers with mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) (RGD-Alg@MSCs). These microcarriers provided a favorable microenvironment for large-scale cell expansion while maintaining stemness with ideal mechanical properties for ocular application. In vitro, RGD-Alg@MSCs demonstrated significantly enhanced therapeutic effects compared to conventional MSCs, including improved cell viability, reduced apoptosis and reactive oxygen species, and enhanced release of immunomodulatory factors. Transcriptomic analysis revealed distinct molecular mechanisms underlying these enhanced therapeutic effects. In the mouse model, RGD-Alg@MSCs exhibited prolonged ocular retention and enhanced tear production, promoted corneal healing, and suppressed inflammation by inhibiting dendritic cell activation and TH17 differentiation. Our microcarrier system substantially improves stem cell delivery efficiency for treating autoimmune DED.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40991713 · DOI · PMC12459467
Computational Modelling Suggests Bacteriostatic Saline Does Not Reverse Botulinum Toxin-Induced Brow Ptosis [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Anecdotal reports have recently circulated suggesting that intramuscular injection of bacteriostatic saline (BS)-which contains benzyl alcohol (BnOH)-can reverse botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA)-induced brow ptosis.
- Closing excerpt
- Instead, these results emphasize the need for mechanistic scrutiny when evaluating rapid-reversal claims, particularly those propagated through anecdotal or social media channels without supporting biological plausibility.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (326 words)
Anecdotal reports have recently circulated suggesting that intramuscular injection of bacteriostatic saline (BS)-which contains benzyl alcohol (BnOH)-can reverse botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA)-induced brow ptosis. Given the well-established intracellular persistence of BoNTA's light chain and its irreversible cleavage of SNAP-25, such rapid functional recovery challenges existing pharmacological understanding. This study employed high-resolution pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modelling using the AesthetiSim™ platform to systematically evaluate this hypothesis. A total of 30,000 virtual patients were randomized to receive BoNTA alone, BoNTA followed by BS injection, or BoNTA followed by normal saline (NS) at Day 7. The model incorporated BoNTA diffusion, internalization, SNAP-25 cleavage, neuromuscular output, and transient BS effects on membrane permeability and endosomal trafficking. Simulated recovery trajectories were tracked over 90 days. The primary outcome, time to 80% restoration of baseline frontalis muscle force (T80), averaged 42.0 days in the BoNTA-only group and 35.5 days in the BS group (Δ = -6.5 days; p 80 threshold by Day 30. Partial reactivation (T30) occurred earlier with BS (21.8 ± 5.3 days vs. 27.3 ± 4.9 days), and the area under the effect curve (AUEC) was increased by 9.7%, reflecting higher overall muscle function over time. In molecular simulations, BnOH produced a minor rightward shift in the BoNTA-SNAP-25 dissociation curve, but receptor occupancy remained above 90% at therapeutic toxin concentrations, suggesting no meaningful impairment of binding affinity. A global Sobol sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the primary driver of recovery kinetics was intracellular LC degradation (49% of T80 variance), while BS-modulated extracellular parameters collectively contributed less than 20%. These findings indicate that BS does not reverse the molecular action of BoNTA but may transiently influence recovery kinetics via non-receptor-mediated pathways such as increased membrane permeability or altered vesicular trafficking. The magnitude and variability of this effect do not support the notion of a true pharmacologic reversal. Instead, these results emphasize the need for mechanistic scrutiny when evaluating rapid-reversal claims, particularly those propagated through anecdotal or social media channels without supporting biological plausibility.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41150199 · DOI · PMC12568129
The Saline-Immersion/Irrigation TEchnique for Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection of Colorectal Lesions: Outcomes From a Large Western Cohort [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Background and study aimsEndoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is increasingly used for the resection of complex lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Closing excerpt
- These findings support broader adoption of SITE-PCM in Western practice and justify prospective multicenter validation.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (239 words)
Background and study aimsEndoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is increasingly used for the resection of complex lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. However, its adoption in the management of colonic lesions in Western practice remains challenging, mainly due to the anatomical complexities of the colon. The saline-immersion/irrigation technique (SITE), combined with the pocket-creation method (PCM) may help to overcome these challenges. This study evaluates outcomes of SITE-PCM ESD in a Western tertiary center.MethodsWe analyzed consecutive colorectal ESD procedures performed at our center between 2017 and 2024. SITE-PCM was used in all cases. Lesion characteristics, procedural outcomes, histopathological findings, adverse events, and follow-up data were analyzed.ResultsA total of 181 lesions in 177 patients were resected en bloc using SITE-PCM ESD. Sixty lesions (33.1%) were located in the proximal colon, while 79 (43.6%) were rectal lesions. R0 and curative resection rates were 92.3% and 90.6%, respectively. The median procedure time was 120 min. Adverse events occurred in 4.4% of cases, with only three patients necessitating hospitalization and nonsurgical intervention due to delayed bleeding, and one patient requiring surgical management after a delayed perforation. Notably, 93.4% of the procedures were performed under conscious sedation.ConclusionsIn our experience SITE-PCM-ESD appears to be a safe and effective minimally invasive approach for complex colorectal lesions. It achieves high R0 and curative resection rates with low adverse events and is feasible under conscious sedation. These findings support broader adoption of SITE-PCM in Western practice and justify prospective multicenter validation.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41338182 · DOI · PMC13020653
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Fluid resuscitation with colloid or crystalloid solutions in critically ill patients: a systematic review of randomised trials [4]
- Research article The role of albumin as a resuscitation fluid for patients with sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis [5]
- Research article Meta-analysis of high- versus low-chloride content in perioperative and critical care fluid resuscitation [6]
- Research article Fluid resuscitation in sepsis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis [7]
- Research article Hypertonic saline versus mannitol for the treatment of elevated intracranial pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials [8]
- Research article Hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.38-0.45 versus crystalloid or albumin in patients with sepsis: systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis [9]
References
- Chen T, Liu R, Chen Q, Feng X, Kong B, Zhao Y. MSC-encapsulated porous microparticle eye drops for autoimmune dry eye disease treatment in NOD mice. . 2025. PMID 40991713 · DOI · PMC12459467
- Rahman E, Michon A, Rao P, Sharif AQMO, Webb WR, Carruthers JDA. Computational Modelling Suggests Bacteriostatic Saline Does Not Reverse Botulinum Toxin-Induced Brow Ptosis. . 2025. PMID 41150199 · DOI · PMC12568129
- Bosch EM, Kalopitas G, Rimondi A, Yamamoto H, Murino A, Despott EJ. The Saline-Immersion/Irrigation TEchnique for Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection of Colorectal Lesions: Outcomes From a Large Western Cohort. . 2026. PMID 41338182 · DOI · PMC13020653
- Schierhout G, Roberts I. Fluid resuscitation with colloid or crystalloid solutions in critically ill patients: a systematic review of randomised trials. BMJ. 1998. PMID 9550953 · DOI · PMC28497
- Delaney AP, Dan A, McCaffrey J, Finfer S. The role of albumin as a resuscitation fluid for patients with sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Crit Care Med. 2011. PMID 21248514 · DOI
- Krajewski ML, Raghunathan K, Paluszkiewicz SM, Schermer CR, Shaw AD. Meta-analysis of high- versus low-chloride content in perioperative and critical care fluid resuscitation. Br J Surg. 2015. PMID 25357011 · DOI · PMC4282059
- Rochwerg B, Alhazzani W, Sindi A, Heels-Ansdell D, Thabane L, Fox-Robichaud A, et al.. Fluid resuscitation in sepsis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med. 2014. PMID 25047428 · DOI
- Kamel H, Navi BB, Nakagawa K, Hemphill JC, Ko NU. Hypertonic saline versus mannitol for the treatment of elevated intracranial pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Crit Care Med. 2011. PMID 21242790 · DOI
- Haase N, Perner A, Hennings LI, Siegemund M, Lauridsen B, Wetterslev M, et al.. Hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.38-0.45 versus crystalloid or albumin in patients with sepsis: systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis. BMJ. 2013. PMID 23418281 · DOI · PMC3573769
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-31.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.