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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
Creation of Abdominal Adhesions in Mice
Published on: August 27, 2016
An experimental study evaluating the effect of Mitomycin C on the prevention of postoperative intraabdominal
A Cubukçu1, A Alponat, N N Gönüllü
1Department of General Surgery, Kocaeli University Medical School, Kocaeli, Turkey.
Background:
Fibroblast proliferation is one of the well-known mechanisms for postoperative intraabdominal adhesion formation. Inhibition of fibroblast proliferation is an attractive field of investigation in the prevention of adhesions. Mitomycin C (MMC) is a cytotoxic agent that alkylates and crosslinks DNA and also inhibits fibroblast proliferation up to a few weeks. We aimed to determine the effect of MMC on the prevention of adhesions.
Materials And Methods:
Generation of adhesions in rats by brushing a 1-cm(2) area of the cecum and the peritoneum on the right side of the abdominal wall was followed by intraperitoneal administration of saline, 1 mg/kg MMC, and 0.5 mg/kg MMC in saline. After 45 days, formation of adhesions was graded.
Results:
The average adhesion scores of the control, and MMC (1 mg/kg), MMC (0.5 mg/kg) groups were 3.2 +/- 0.7, 0.8 +/- 0.6, and 0.7 +/- 0.8, respectively. Adhesion scores of the two MMC-treated groups were significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.001). There was no difference between the two MMC groups (P > 0.05). No side effect of MMC was observed.
Conclusion:
MMC was found to be very effective in the prevention of postoperative intraabdominal adhesions.
Insights
Mitomycin C effectively prevents postoperative intraabdominal adhesions by inhibiting fibroblast proliferation. This study demonstrated significant reductions in adhesion scores with Mitomycin C treatment in rats, with no observed side effects.
Area of Science:
- Surgical research
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Postoperative intraabdominal adhesions are a significant clinical problem.
- Fibroblast proliferation is a key mechanism in adhesion formation.
- Mitomycin C (MMC) inhibits fibroblast proliferation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of Mitomycin C (MMC) in preventing postoperative intraabdominal adhesions.
Main Methods:
- Adhesions were induced in rats by mechanical irritation of the cecum and peritoneum.
- Rats received intraperitoneal administration of saline (control), 1 mg/kg MMC, or 0.5 mg/kg MMC.
- Adhesion formation was assessed and graded after 45 days.
Main Results:
- MMC treatment significantly reduced adhesion scores compared to the control group (P < 0.001).
- Both 1 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg MMC doses showed comparable efficacy.
- No adverse side effects were observed in the MMC-treated groups.
Conclusions:
- Mitomycin C is highly effective in preventing postoperative intraabdominal adhesions.
- MMC represents a promising therapeutic agent for adhesion prevention.
