[Prevention effect of hydroxybutyl chitosan on peritoneal adhesion in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effect of hydroxybutyl chitosan on the prevention of postoperative peritoneal adhesion in rats.


METHODS
Ninety SD rats (half males and half females) weighing 250-280 g underwent laparotomy with subsequent cecal wall abrasion and peritoneal adhesion. Rats were randomized into 3 groups (n = 30 per group): group A, injection of 2 mL hydroxybutyl chitosan solution (2%); group B, injection of 2 mL sodium hyaluronate solution (2%); group C, the abdomen of rat was exposed for 30 seconds and served as control group. The general condition of the rats was observed after operation. The rats were killed 2 and 4 weeks after operation, 15 rats per group at a time, to undergo gross and histology observation. The degree of adhesion was evaluated by double-blind method. The microstructure of injured electroscope cecal wall in groups A and C was observed with transmission electroscope 4 weeks after operation.


RESULTS
All rats survived till the end of experiment. At 2 weeks after operation, the adhesion and the hyperplasia of fibrous connective tissue and collagen in groups A and B were slight while the adhesion in group C was serious with severe hyperplasia of fibrous connective tissue. According to the measurement classification by Nair histological grading, the difference between groups A and B and group C was significant (P < 0.05), while no significant difference was evident between group A and group B (P > 0.05). At 4 weeks after operation, the adhesion in group A was mild, and the hyperplasia of fibrous connective tissue and collagen were slight; the adhesion and the hyperplasia of fibrous connective tissue and collagen in group C were serious. The levels of group B were between group A and group C. The differences among three groups were significant (P < 0.05). Transmission electroscope showed inactive fibroblasts and loose thin collagen fibers in group A, and active fibroblasts and closely collagen fibers arranged in a disorderly manner in group C.


CONCLUSIONS
Hydroxybutyl chitosan can decrease the hyperplasia of fibrous connective tissue and inhibit the activity of fibroblasts significantly, and has a long-term role of preventing peritoneal adhesion.
Liu
Shuangli
S
Department of Orthopaedics, Changzheng Hospital, the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, PR China.
Hou
Chunlin
C
Wei
Changzheng
C
Yin
Guodong
G
Guo
Xingfeng
X
Yin
Gang
G
D000818:Animals; D048271:Chitosan / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control*
D048271:Chitosan