Impact of Pirfenidone Administration Routes on Colon Anastomosis and Healing in Rats

Area of Science:

• Colorectal Surgery
• Wound Healing Research
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Anastomotic strictures are a common complication following colorectal surgery.
• Pirfenidone is investigated for its antifibrotic properties.
• A rat model is used to assess pirfenidone's effects on surgical healing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the antifibrotic effects of pirfenidone on colorectal anastomotic stenosis.
• To compare the efficacy of different pirfenidone administration routes (intraperitoneal, oral, rectal).
• To assess pirfenidone's impact on abdominal wall wound healing and adhesion formation.

Main Methods:

• Forty female Wistar Albino rats were divided into control and three pirfenidone treatment groups (intraperitoneal, oral, rectal).
• Colonic anastomosis was performed, followed by 14 days of pirfenidone administration.
• Evaluations included burst pressure, histopathology, and molecular analysis of key growth factors (TGF-β, VEGF-A, FGF-2).

Main Results:

• Pirfenidone significantly increased anastomotic burst pressure across all administration routes.
• Histopathology showed enhanced healing markers and reduced inflammation with pirfenidone.
• Oral pirfenidone resulted in the widest anastomotic lumen, while intraperitoneal administration showed the greatest reduction in adhesions.

Conclusions:

• Pirfenidone demonstrates significant antifibrotic effects, mitigating anastomotic stenosis and adhesions.
• Oral administration appears most promising for widening the anastomotic lumen.
• Further studies are needed to confirm long-term benefits and optimize pirfenidone's clinical use.