title: The effect of vitamin A and vitamin C on postoperative adhesion formation: A rat model study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of vitamin A and C, as the agents that improve wound healing, on the adhesion formation process.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty male Wistar rats were used. They underwent midline laparotomy, for repair of a peritoneal injury, and were then assigned to four groups. Group 1 (Vitamin A) received 2000 units/kg intramuscular injection of vitamin A daily, post surgery, for two weeks; Group 2 (Vitamin C) received 100 mg/kg oral vitamin C daily, after laparotomy, for two weeks; Group 3 (vitamins A and C) received 2000 units/kg intramuscular injection of vitamin A and 100 mg/kg oral vitamin C daily, after laparotomy, for two weeks, and Group four (Sham) rats did not receive any drugs. The adhesion, inflammation, fibrosis scores, and wound integrity were evaluated after two weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rats in the vitamin C group had the lowest mean adhesion formation score (1 ± 0.27) and the values of p were < 0.0001 for the vitamin A group and vitamin A and C groups and 0.003 for the sham group. Vitamin C also had the lowest fibrosis score (0.50 ± 0.17) among the study groups and the values of p were < 0.0001 for the vitamin A group and vitamin A and C groups and 0.002 for the sham group. The mean inflammation score did not differ significantly among the study groups. The wound disruption strength was the highest in the vitamin C group and the difference was statistically significant in the sham group (1188.69 ± 281.92 vs. 893.04 ± 187.46, p : 0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Administration of oral vitamin C reduces adhesion formation and improves wound healing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty Member of General Surgery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Behrouz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Keleidari
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty Member of General Surgery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahmoudieh
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty Member of General Surgery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Faranak
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bahrami
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology, Veterinary, Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Faculty Member of Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Pejman
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mortazavi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Resident of General Surgery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza Sari
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Aslani
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Resident of General Surgery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Alireza
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Toliyat
keywords: Adhesion formation; vitamin A; vitamin C