Effects of a hyaluronate-carboxymethylcellulose membrane (Seprafilm) on human polymorphonuclear neutrophil functions.
BACKGROUND
Seprafilm (Genzyme Corp., Cambridge, MA) is safe and effective for reducing adhesion formation in abdominal and pelvic surgery. However, the relationships between Seprafilm and postoperative complications, including intra-abdominal abscess formation and intra-abdominal inflammation, remain controversial. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) play crucial roles in the processes of intra-abdominal inflammation, infection, and abscess formation, and PMNs act as the first line in nonspecific host defense against a wide range of pathogens. The present study evaluates the effect of Seprafilm itself on human PMNs in experimental models in vitro.


METHODS
Human PMNs were isolated from blood samples obtained from 14 healthy volunteers. The functions of the isolated cells were assessed by examining their phagocytosis, apoptosis/necrosis rates, cytokine production, and PMN-elastase release with and without Seprafilm in an in vitro experimental model of inflammation and endotoxin-stimulation.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in the PMN phagocytosis, apoptosis/necrosis rates, cytokine production, or PMN-elastase release into the supernatant after coculture with bacteria between assays with and without Seprafilm. In the PMN stimulation models involving tumor necrosis factor-alpha and lipopolysaccharide, there were no significant differences in cytokine production between assays with and without Seprafilm. Furthermore, a similar experiment measuring cytokine production in the presence of well-dissolved Seprafilm produced corresponding results.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest Seprafilm itself does not affect the functions of isolated human PMNs in in vitro experimental models of inflammation and endotoxin-stimulation.
Otake
Kohei
K
Department of Gastrointestinal and Pediatric Surgery, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Mie, Japan.
Uchida
Keiichi
K
Yoshiyama
Shigeyuki
S
Inoue
Mikihiro
M
Okita
Yoshiki
Y
Watanabe
Hideki
H
Inoue
Yasuhiro
Y
Mohri
Yasuhiko
Y
Miki
Chikao
C
Kusunoki
Masato
M
D000328:Adult; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase / Q000378:metabolism; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000276:immunology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; C118198:Seprafilm; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium