title: Topical application of tacrolimus prevents epidural fibrosis in a rat postlaminectomy model: histopathological and ultrastructural analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Postlaminectomy epidural fibrosis is the formation of scar tissue over the     dura mater following posterior spinal surgery. This devastating complication is     responsible for the substantial amount of failed back syndromes. MATERIAL and
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty male Wistar-Albino rats each weighing 350-400 grams were used.     Following L3-L5 laminectomy, the rats were randomly divided into 2 groups, with     10 rats in each group. In the control group, only a laminectomy was performed.     In the drug group, 5 mg/ml tacrolimus was topically applied with a cotton pad     soaked with the drug solution for 5 minutes. The animals were killed on the 30th     postoperative day injecting a lethal dose (250 mg/kg) of pentobarbital and the     involved dural segments were removed for histopathological and ultrastructural     evaluations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Epidural scar thickness and the density were significantly     lower in the animals treated with tacrolimus than those of the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Promising evidence regarding the anti-scar potential of tacrolimus     merits further research to optimize the dosage and the usage of the drug.
authors.affiliation: Suleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Isparta, Turkey. ozguri_36@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ozgur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ismailoglu
authors.forename: Baki
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Albayrak
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gulsen
authors.forename: Gamze
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tanriover
authors.forename: Necdet
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Demir
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004824:Epidural Space / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D055111:Failed Back Surgery Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013115:Spinal Canal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016559:Tacrolimus