The effect of mesenchymal stem cell use on intra-abdominal adhesions in a rat model

PURPOSE: Intra-abdominal adhesions (IAA) are among the most frequently seen pathologies in general surgery practice with an increased morbidity and mortality. In the present study, we investigated the effect of locally applied mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on IAA. METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar Albino rats were used in the study. The rats were divided into three groups including: Sham, control, and MSCs group. On day 0, cecum was reached under anesthesia in all groups, except the Sham group. Scraping with a sponge was performed until petechial bleeding occurred. The control group received no treatment. In the stem cell group, MSCs were applied topically immediately after surgery on adhesions. The rats were sacrificed on day 10 and colon tissues and blood samples were collected for macroscopic, histopathological, and biochemical analysis. RESULTS: In our study, E-selectin, P-selectin, TNF-α and IL-1 levels were statistically significantly lower in the MSC group than the control group, while the sham group has the lowest levels. In both the macroscopic and histopathological analyses (Zühlke's scale), the least amount of adhesion was observed in the Sham group. In addition, although there was less adhesion in the MSC group than the control group, the difference did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Topical MSC application immediately after surgery suppresses the inflammatory process. However it was found to be ineffective in histopathological and macroscopic examinations performed on the 10th day.

Effectiveness of thymoquinone, zeolite, and platelet-rich plasma in model of corrosive oesophagitis induced in rats

PURPOSE: The effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), thymoquinone, and zeolite in corrosive esophageal burns was investigated in a rat model. METHODS: Four groups were comprised as containing 10 rats in each group. For group I, oesophagitis was induced and no other procedure was performed (control group). For group II, oesophagitis was induced and thymoquinone was administered for 1 week via oral gavage once a day (thymoquinone group). For group III, oesophagitis was induced for 1 week via oral gavage once a day (PRP group). For group IV, oesophagitis was induced and zeolite was administered for 1 week via oral gavage once a day (zeolite group). On the 10th day, the rats were sacrificed under anaesthesia and venous blood sampling was performed from the vena portae. The oesophaguses were totally excised. Biochemically, interleukin (IL)-1B, IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1 were examined from venous blood. Inflammation score was evaluated histopathologically in oesophageal tissue that was collected. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference among groups in terms of IL-1, IL-6, MCP levels, compared to the control group; median IL-1, IL-6, MCP levels of thymoquinone, PRP, and zeolite groups were statistically significantly lower. There was a statistically significant difference among groups in terms of inflammation scores, compared to group I; median inflammation scores of groups II, III and IV were statistically significantly lower thymoquinone. CONCLUSION: PRP, and zeolite exhibited positive effect on recovery in oesophagitis by reducing inflammation in the involved segment.

ERRATUM: Correction of funding statement in ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS section. Effectiveness of thymoquinone, zeolite, and platelet-rich plasma in model of corrosive oesophagitis induced in rats

The funding statement in ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS section was misprinted unintentionally. The funding statement in ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS should be corrected as “This study was supported by the Kırıkkale University Scientific Research Projects Commission, Kırıkkale, Turkey (2014-69).”

The effects of scalpel, harmonic scalpel and monopolar electrocautery on the healing of colonic anastomosis after colonic resection

PURPOSE: In our study, the effects of harmonic scalpel, scalpel, and monopolar electrocautery usage on the health and healing of colon anastomosis after resection was investigated. METHODS: In this study, 120 female albino Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups each containing 40 rats. Group A, resection with scalpel; group B, resection with monopolar electrocautery; group C, resection with harmonic scalpel. The groups were divided into 4 subgroups consisting of 10 rats and analysed in the postoperative 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th days. Anastomotic bursting pressures, hydroxyproline levels and histopathological parameters were surrogate parameters for evaluating wound healing. RESULTS: The tissue hydroxyproline levels did not show any significant difference between the groups and subgroups. The mean bursting pressure of group A on the 5th day was significantly higher than groups B and C (P < 0.001). When the fibroblast and fibrosis scores were evaluated, scores of group C on the 5th day were significantly higher than the other groups, but the results of bursting pressures and biochemical parameters did not support the fibroblast and fibrosis scores. There were not any significant differences between the groups in other histopathologic parameters. CONCLUSION: The use of monopolar electrocautery needs more attention since the device causes tissue destruction. The obliterating effect of harmonic scalpel on luminal organs is an important problem, especially if an anastomosis is planned. Despite the disadvantages of scalpel, its efficacy on early wound healing is better than the other devices.