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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
Creation of Abdominal Adhesions in Mice
Published on: August 27, 2016
The preventive effect of Met-RANTES on postoperative intraperitoneal adhesion formation in the rat model
Hizir Akyildiz1, Alper Akcan, Erdogan Sozuer
1Department of General Surgery, School of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey. hyakyildiz@gmail.com
Background:
Chemokines are proinflammatory proteins that participate in immune and inflammatory responses through chemoattraction and leukocyte activation. The chemokine antagonist Met-RANTES (Regulated upon Activation Normal T cell Expressed and Secreted) has been shown to be efficacious in decreasing inflammation in several animal disease models. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of administration of Met-RANTES on intra-abdominal adhesion formation after abdominal operation.
Materials And Methods:
A 42 and 4-month-old female Wistar-Albino rats were subjected to standardized lesions by cauterization of the cecum and uterine horn. They were divided randomly into 3 groups containing 14 rats each: group 1 (control), operative procedure without further treatment; group 2 (Seprafilm), operative procedure with an antiadhesive membrane; 2 x 1 cm of Seprafilm was interposed beneath the peritoneal incision, and group 3 (Met-RANTES), operative procedure with the chemokine antagonist Met-RANTES. The extent and severity of adhesions at the operative site were evaluated. Light microscopic examination was performed to determine semiquantitative scores of VEGF expression.
Results:
Rats in the control group formed extensive adhesions. In comparison with the control group, the adhesion scores were significantly lower in the 2 other groups. The immunohistochemical grading scores of vascular endothelial growth factor correlated closely with the total adhesion scores and were less in groups 2 and 3 (P < .005).
Conclusions:
Selective chemokine suppression with Met-RANTES seems to decrease rates, extent, and severity of postoperative intraperitoneal adhesions.
Insights
Met-RANTES, a chemokine antagonist, significantly reduced postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions in rats. This suggests Met-RANTES can decrease adhesion rates, extent, and severity after abdominal surgery.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Surgical Pathology
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Chemokines are key mediators of inflammation, driving immune cell responses.
- Met-RANTES, a chemokine antagonist, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in animal models.
- Postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions are a common complication of abdominal surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of Met-RANTES in preventing intra-abdominal adhesion formation.
- To assess the impact of Met-RANTES on adhesion severity and extent post-abdominal operation.
Main Methods:
- Wistar-Albino rats underwent standardized cecal cauterization and uterine horn lesions.
- Rats were randomized into control, Seprafilm (antiadhesive membrane), and Met-RANTES treatment groups.
- Adhesion formation was assessed macroscopically and microscopically, with VEGF expression quantified.
Main Results:
- The control group exhibited extensive adhesion formation.
- Both Seprafilm and Met-RANTES groups showed significantly reduced adhesion scores compared to controls.
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) expression correlated with adhesion scores and was lower in treatment groups.
Conclusions:
- Selective chemokine suppression using Met-RANTES effectively reduces the incidence, extent, and severity of postoperative adhesions.
- Met-RANTES shows promise as a therapeutic agent for preventing intra-abdominal adhesions.
