title: The effects of minidose heparin and low molecular weight heparin on peritonitis in the rat.
abstract: Intraperitoneal bacteria, ischemic tissue, and the inflammatory response have all been implicated in the development of intra-abdominal adhesions and abscess formation. Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to a peritonitis challenge induced by fecal contamination of the peritoneum in conjunction with necrotic ileal tissue in an attempt to further elucidate the role of these stimuli and to evaluate the potential protective effect of regular heparin and of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) Lovenox. Rats treated with a subcutaneous minidose heparin and LMWH Lovenox showed a significant decrease in adhesion and abscess formation when compared with the nontreatment control rats. There was no statistical difference between the two treatment groups. These findings confirm the efficacy of minidose heparin in reducing both the grade and incidence of adhesion and abscess formation and suggest a similar role for LMWH Lovenox. No conclusions could be reached on the effect of heparin or LMWH Lovenox on survival time due to the high survival rate noted in the nontreatment control rats, despite severe peritonitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans 70112, USA.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Vela
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Littleton
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: O'Leary
mesh_terms: D018784:Abdominal Abscess / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D017984:Enoxaparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016019:Survival Analysis; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D017984:Enoxaparin; D006493:Heparin