Tissue plasminogen activator reverses the deleterious effect of infection on colonic wound healing

Fibrin deposition in response to bacterial peritonitis appears to predispose to residual infection in the peritoneal cavity. Our previous studies have demonstrated that intraperitoneal fibrinolysis using human recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) prevented abscess formation in a rat intra-abdominal sepsis model. To investigate the potential adverse side effects of its use in the peritoneal cavity, the effect of t-PA on colonic anastomotic wound healing and on systemic coagulation parameters was examined in the rat. T-PA did not adversely affect colonic healing five and ten days after anastomosis. In animals infected intraperitoneally at the time of the anastomosis, t-PA reversed the inhibition of healing induced by perianastomotic abscesses at five days. This effect was mediated by the ability of t-PA to prevent perianastomotic abscess formation. After intraperitoneal administration, t-PA had no effect on prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times in either uninfected or infected animals and there was no evidence of clinical bleeding related to its use. These studies suggest that intraperitoneal fibrinolysis using t-PA may provide a safe, effective form of adjuvant therapy in the management of fibrinopurulent peritonitis.