Biodegradable and thermosensitive monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic acid) hydrogel as a barrier for prevention of post-operative abdominal adhesion

J Biomed Nanotechnol. 2014 Mar;10(3):427-35. doi: 10.1166/jbn.2014.1726.

Abstract

Post-operative peritoneal adhesions are serious consequences of abdominal or pelvic surgery and cause severe bowel obstruction, chronic pelvic pain and infertility. In this study, a novel nano-hydrogel system based on a monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic acid) (MPEG-PLA) di-block copolymer was studied for its ability to prevent abdominal adhesion in rats. The MPEG-PLA hydrogel at a concentration of 40% (w/v) was injected and was able to adhere to defect sites at body temperature. The ability of the hydrogel to inhibit adhesion of post-operative tissues was evaluated by utilizing a rat model of abdominal sidewall-cecum abrasion. It was possible to heal wounded tissue through regeneration of neo-peritoneal tissues ten days after surgery. Our data showed that this hydrogel system is equally as effective as current commercialized anti-adhesive products.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen / surgery*
  • Abdominal Wound Closure Techniques / adverse effects
  • Absorbable Implants*
  • Animals
  • Cecal Diseases / prevention & control
  • Cecum
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Female
  • Hydrogels / chemistry
  • Hydrogels / pharmacokinetics
  • Hydrogels / therapeutic use*
  • Peritoneal Diseases / prevention & control
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Polyethylene Glycols / pharmacokinetics
  • Polyethylene Glycols / therapeutic use*
  • Postoperative Complications / prevention & control
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Temperature
  • Tissue Adhesions / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Hydrogels
  • monomethoxypolyethyleneglycol-polylactide block copolymer
  • Polyethylene Glycols