title: Cross-linked poly (gamma-glutamic acid) attenuates peritoneal adhesion in a rat model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Poly (gamma-glutamic acid) (PGA) is a naturally occurring biodegradable polymer produced by Bacillus subtilis. PGA is crosslinked by gamma-irradiation to yield crosslinked PGA (XL). XL absorbs large amounts of fluid and forms a biodegradable viscous hydrogel. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-adhesive effect of XL in a rat abdominal wall defect and cecal abrasion model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Abdominal wall resection and cecal abrasion were carried out in rats (abrasion-no-treatment group, n = 12). In the treatment groups, the following materials were applied: PGA (n = 12), XL (n = 16), hyaluronic acid (HA) (n = 12), Seprafilm (n = 12), and Interceed (n = 10). A week later, adhesion formation was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Firm adhesions were seen in the abrasion-no-treatment group. XL reduced adhesion formation significantly compared with abrasion-no-treatment, HA, Seprafilm, and Interceed groups. Although not statistically significant, the magnitude of adhesion formation was decreased in the XL group in comparison to the PGA group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest that the anti-adhesive effect of XL was superior to other materials in this rat model. XL application may have attenuated tissue adhesion by forming a viscous hydrogel over the injured surfaces.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of General Thoracic Surgery, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan. yotaro@sc.itc.keio.ac.jp
authors.forename: Yotaro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Izumi
authors.forename: Michiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Masafumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kawamura
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Adachi
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D002432:Cecum / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: C511775:poly(gamma-glutamic acid); D011099:Polyglutamic Acid