title: Use of decorin to prevent epidural fibrosis in a post-laminectomy rat model.
abstract: The formation of epidural fibrosis adjacent to the dura mater is a complex multi-step process that is associated with a marked reduction in tissue cellularity and the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix components. Extensive epidural fibrosis is a major cause of post-laminectomy syndrome. Decorin strongly inhibits fibrosis formation in various tissues via blockade of transforming growth factor-β1. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a topical application of decorin on the formation of epidural fibrosis in a rat laminectomy model. Twenty-four female Wistar albino rats (250-350 g) were equally and randomly divided into three groups (control, spongostan and decorin). Laminectomy was performed between the L3 and L5 levels in all rats. The dura mater was directly exposed to spongostan soaked with saline (2 cc/kg) or decorin (100 µg/kg). Four weeks later, the laminectomized spine of the rats was completely removed between the L3 and L5 levels. The extent of the epidural fibrosis and arachnoidal involvement was histopathologically evaluated and graded. Our data revealed that epidural fibrosis was significantly reduced in the group treated with decorin compared to the spongostan and control groups (P<0.05). Our study demonstrates that the topical application of decorin can be effective in reducing the formation of epidural fibrosis in a simple laminectomy rat model.
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, 06110 Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: drmet122@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Erhan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Turkoglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Duzce University, 81620 Duzce, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dinc
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Duzce University, 81620 Duzce, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cengiz
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tuncer
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Duzce University, 81620 Duzce, Turkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oktay
authors.affiliation: Istanbul Cerrahi Hospital, Neurosurgery Clinic, Nisantasi, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gokhan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Serbes
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Duzce University, 81620 Duzce, Turkey.
authors.forename: Zeki
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sekerci
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D058575:Decorin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D004824:Epidural Space / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D058575:Decorin
keywords: Decorin; Epidural fibrosis; Failed back surgery; Fibroblast; Laminectomy; Post-laminectomy syndrome