Novel treatment in peritoneal adhesion prevention: protection by polypeptides.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a novel antiadhesive polypeptide complex containing a combination of poly-L-glutamate and poly-L-lysine in order to study its effectiveness and mechanisms in the prevention of postoperative abdominal adhesions in mice.


METHODS
The length of peritoneal adhesions was measured and expressed in percentage of the wound length in a standardized peritoneal injury model and evaluated 7 days and 4 weeks after adhesion induction. The test compound was administered intraperitoneally following surgery. Peritoneal swabs, including the wound area, were stained in order to determine the peritoneal location and clearance of the polypeptides. Electron microscopy was performed to analyze the wound surface and the ultra-structural changes of the phagocytes in cell culture. Moreover, flow cytometry was used to evaluate the effect on macrophage phagocytic function.


RESULTS
The poly-L-lysine and poly-L-glutamate combination significantly decreased peritoneal adhesions both at 7 days' (p < 0.001) and 4 weeks' (p < or = 0.001) follow-up. From the first day, the compound was found in the wound, after which this was gradually rebuilt, and covered with mesothelial cells. The macrophages phagocytosed the test compound particles, resulting in significant cell growth, and large phagocytic vacuoles.


CONCLUSIONS
The intraperitoneal administration of poly-L-lysine and poly-L-glutamate resulted in a significant decrease in experimental postoperative peritoneal adhesions.
Nehéz
László
L
Department of Surgery, Center of Chemistry and Clinical Engineering, Lund University, Sweden.
Tingstedt
Bobby
B
Vödrös
Dalma
D
Axelsson
Jakob
J
Lindman
Björn
B
Andersson
Roland
R
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D051379:Mice; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011107:Polylysine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011107:Polylysine; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid