α-MSH restored the number and size of the goblet cells in the dry eye rats to the normal levels (Fig. 6, D+NaCl vs D+α-MSH, p < 0.001; D+α-MSH vs NaCl+NaCl, p = 0.348); whereas addition of H89 or PD98059, but not DMSO, with α-MSH abolished the protecting effects of this peptide (Fig. 6, D+H89+α-MSH vs D+α-MSH, D+PD+α-MSH vs D+α-MSH, both p < 0.001; D+DMSO+α-MSH vs D+α-MSH, p = 0.257). This evidence concerns the gene STAMBP and dry eye syndrome.