Evaluation of the effects of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells on intraperitoneal adhesions

The goal was to examine the efficiency of local implementation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, which have an anti-inflammatory effect, in preventing the intra-abdominal adhesions in rats.

Twenty-one Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, 7 rats in each: Group 1 was defined as the control group, Group 2 as the sham group, and Group 3 as the adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell group. A 6 cm mid-abdomen incision in the all the rats was performed. The cecum serosa and sub-serosa were injured by rubbing with a gauze. No agent was applied intraperitoneally for the rats in Group 1; 1.5 mL saline and 2x106/kg allojenic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in the 1.5 mL saline were injected into peritoneum of rats in Groups 2 and 3, respectively. Laparotomy was performed on the 14th day. Adhesion scores, histopathological examination, E-cadherin expression, and the tissue hydroxyproline level were evaluated.

The general adhesion score and collagen deposition in Group 3 were found to be significantly higher than in Groups 1 and 2 (p=0.003 and p=0.009, respectively). In the inflammatory cell comparison, a significant decrease was found in Group 3 in proportion to Groups 1 and 2 (p=0.001, p=0.005, respectively). The E-cadherin levels were found to be higher in Group 3 (p=0.003).

Severe adhesion was observed in the adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells group. Collagen intensity and E-Cadherin expression also increased in the adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells group. The anti-inflammatory effect was also seen in the adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells group.