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Updated: Mar 16, 2026
Murine Model of Wound Healing
Published on: May 28, 2013
The Effect of Mycophenolate Mofetil on Early Wound Healing in a Rodent Model
Martine Cm Willems1, Thijs Hendriks1, Roger Mlm Lomme1
1Division of Vascular and Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Background:
Immunosuppressant agents are inevitable for solid organ recipients, but may have a negative effect on wound healing that is difficult to measure because of clinical use of a polydrug regime. The evidence on mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is scarce and contradictory. This study aims to investigate the effect of MMF administration on wound healing.
Methods:
Ninety-six male Wistar rats divided into 4 groups underwent anastomotic construction in ileum and colon at day 0. Three groups received daily oral doses of 20 or 40 mg/kg MMF or saline (control group) from day 0 until the end of the experiment. Half of each group was analyzed after 3 days and half after 7 days. Another group started the medication 3 days after the laparotomy and was analyzed after 7 days, half of this group received 20 mg/kg and half 40 mg/kg MMF. Wound strength in anastomoses and in the abdominal wall was measured using bursting pressure, breaking strength, and histology. Trough levels were measured.
Results:
Significant differences in wound strength were seen in ileum tissue after 3 days, which surprisingly showed a stronger anastomosis in the experimental groups. Bursting pressure as well as breaking strength was higher in the low-dose and high-dose MMF group compared with the control group. A negative effect was measured in abdominal wall tissue for the highest-dose group, which disappeared when the medication was delayed for 3 days. Histology showed poorer bridging of the submucosal layer and more polymorphonuclear cell infiltration in the ileum specimens of the control group compared with the treatment groups.
Conclusions:
As a single agent in a preclinical wound healing model in the rat, MMF has no negative effect on healing of bowel anastomoses but might have a negative effect on the healing of abdominal wall.
Insights
Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) did not negatively impact bowel anastomosis healing in rats. However, MMF may impair abdominal wall wound healing, especially at higher doses or when initiated immediately post-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Surgical research
- Pharmacology
- Wound healing research
Background:
- Solid organ transplant recipients require immunosuppressants, but their impact on wound healing is complex.
- Evidence regarding mycophenolate mofetil's (MMF) effect on wound healing is limited and conflicting.
- This study investigates MMF's influence on surgical wound healing in a preclinical model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) on the healing of bowel anastomoses and abdominal wall wounds.
- To determine if MMF administration impacts wound strength and histological healing parameters.
- To assess the influence of MMF dosage and timing on wound healing outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Ninety-six male Wistar rats underwent ileum and colon anastomoses.
- Rats received daily oral doses of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (20 or 40 mg/kg) or saline control.
- Wound strength (bursting pressure, breaking strength) and histology were analyzed at 3 and 7 days post-surgery; MMF administration timing was also varied.
Main Results:
- Ileum anastomoses showed enhanced strength with MMF treatment compared to controls at 3 days.
- Histology revealed better submucosal bridging and less inflammation in MMF-treated ileum specimens.
- Abdominal wall healing was negatively affected by high-dose MMF, an effect mitigated by delayed administration.
Conclusions:
- Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), as a single agent, does not impair bowel anastomosis healing in a rat model.
- MMF may negatively affect abdominal wall wound healing, particularly with immediate administration and higher doses.
- Further research is needed to clarify MMF's role in surgical wound healing in transplant patients.
