Tropical application of halcinonide cream reduces the severity and incidence of intraperitoneal adhesions in a rat model.
BACKGROUND
Systemic or intraperitoneal administration of corticosteroids has been reported to have conflicting effects on the prevention of peritoneal adhesions. Painting corticosteroid cream directly on the likely site of adhesion formation, owing to its high concentrations and persistent effects, may be a promising approach to prevent peritoneal adhesion formation.


METHODS
Adhesions were induced by abrading of the cecum, followed by dropping of 95% ethanol. Sixty Wistar rats were randomly allocated to two control groups with no further treatment of the cecum and to two therapy groups treated with 0.1% halcinonide cream painted directly on the damaged surface of the cecum. After 3 and 7 days, adhesion scores, adhesion incidence, and intraperitoneal leukocytes were evaluated.


RESULTS
On both postoperative days 3 and 7, halcinonide cream resulted in a significant decrease in mean adhesion scores (6.80 versus 0.67, 10.40 versus 1.26; P <0.001, P <0.001, respectively). The adhesion incidence was 43.3% for the therapy groups and 100% for controls (P <0.01). On day 3, the total numbers of intraperitoneal leukocytes were 120.73 +/- 24.01 millions for the therapy groups and 270.40 +/- 34.68 for controls (P <0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Painting halcinonide cream directly on the damaged surface of the cecum could effectively reduce the severity and incidence of adhesion, possibly by suppression of early inflammatory exudate and of late fibroblast invasion and proliferation.
Zhang
Yong-Dong
YD
Department of Pharmacology, Linyi Medical School, 24 Qingnian Rd., Linyi, Shadong 276002, P. R. China. yongdongzh@cnuninet.com
Yao
Wei
W
Wu
Cai-Xia
CX
Chi
Qing-Mei
QM
Zhang
Ji-Yun
JY
Li
Mei
M
D000005:Abdomen; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006206:Halcinonide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006206:Halcinonide