Role of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 in basal adhesion formation and in carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum-enhanced adhesion formation after laparoscopic surgery in mice.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) in adhesion formation after laparoscopic surgery.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized study.


METHODS
Academic research center.


METHODS
Forty female Swiss mice.


METHODS
Adhesions were induced by standardized lesions during laparoscopy. The CO2 pneumoperitoneum was maintained for the minimum time needed to perform the lesions (10 minutes) or for a longer period (60 minutes) to evaluate basal adhesions and pneumoperitoneum-enhanced adhesions, respectively. Mice were treated either with IgG or with antibodies against VEGFR-1.


METHODS
Adhesions were quantitatively and qualitatively scored after 7 days during laparotomy.


RESULTS
In IgG-treated mice, 60 minutes of CO2 pneumoperitoneum increased basal adhesions. In VEGFR-1 antibody-treated mice, basal adhesions were similar to the control group and 60 minutes of CO2 pneumoperitoneum did not increase adhesions. Therefore, in these mice, pneumoperitoneum-enhanced adhesions were lower than in IgG-treated mice.


CONCLUSIONS
The data confirm that CO2 pneumoperitoneum is a cofactor in adhesion formation and demonstrate that VEGFR-1 plays a role in pneumoperitoneum-enhanced adhesions, which is consistent with a role of placental growth factor, VEGF-A, and VEGF-B in pneumoperitoneum-enhanced adhesions. These observations give new insight into the pathogenesis of adhesion formation.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. roger.molinas@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
Carlos Roger
CR
Molinas
Maria Merces
MM
Binda
Peter
P
Carmeliet
Philippe Robert
PR
Koninckx
D000818:Animals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D005260:Female; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000494:pharmacology; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051379:Mice; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011028:Pneumoperitoneum, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011897:Random Allocation; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000378:metabolism*
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1