Cross-linked hyaluronic acid films to reduce intra-abdominal postsurgical adhesions in an experimental model.

Background/aims: Intra-abdominal adhesions typically occur after surgically damaged tissues are situated in apposition, leading to fibrotic connections. The goal of this study was to demonstrate the in vivo efficacy of a cross-linked and insoluble hyaluronic acid (HA) film to reduce postsurgical adhesion in a rat model.

Methods: To measure in vitro adhesion resistance, porcine monocytes were deposited on the surface of films and their attachment was monitored by scanning electron microscopy.

Novel macromolecular crosslinking hydrogel to reduce intra-abdominal adhesions.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the anti-adhesion efficacy of a biodegradable, in situ, macromolecular cross-linking hydrogel made from oxidized dextran/N-carboxyethyl chitosan (Odex/CEC) with a commercially available carboxymethylcellulose/modified hyaluronan barrier film (Seprafilm; Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, MA) in a rat cecum abrasion model.

Methods: The rat model utilized a cecal abrasion and abdominal wall insult surgical protocol. The 2% Odex/CEC hydrogel treatment was applied by syringe to coat both the cecal and the abdominal wall insults, while other animals were treated with Seprafilm applied to the cecal injury only.

In vivo validation of biological responses of bFGF released from microspheres formulated by blending poly-lactide-co-glycolide and poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted-chitosan in hamster cheek pouch microcirculatory models.

Microspheres formulated from blending poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted-chitosan (PEG-g-CHN), using a modified in-emulsion-solvent-evaporation method, were investigated for the delivery of protein. A model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), was incorporated into the PLGA/PEG-g-CHN microspheres and both initial burst and release kinetics could be modulated by varying the PEG-g-CHN content. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was formulated into the microspheres containing 5% PEG-g-CHN and the bFGF contents in the releasates were determined by a receptor-based ELISA with their in vitro bioactivities validated by fibroblast cell culture.