TGF-beta1 neutralizing antibodies decrease the fibrotic effects of ischemic priapism

The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible role of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1) antibodies (ab) for the prevention of fibrotic effects of priapism in a rat model. In total, 30 adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups. Priapism with 6 h (group 1), priapism with 6 h+ab (group 2), priapism with 24 h (group 3), priapism with 24 h+ab (group 4) and control (group 5). Priapism was induced with a vacuum erection device and a rubber band was placed at the base of the erect penis. At 1 h after the initiation of priapism, TGF-beta1 antibodies were given intracavernosaly. All rats underwent electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve after 8 weeks. Intracavernous and systemic blood pressures were measured during the procedure. Rats in group 1 showed significantly higher (intracavernosal pressure (ICP) pressures to cavernous nerve stimulation and had higher ICP/BP ratios when compared to other groups. Similarly, histopathologic examination revealed less fibrosis in group 2, compared with the other groups. Consequently, TGF-beta1 antibodies antagonise the fibrotic effects of TGF-beta1, especially in cases with duration of priapism less than 6 h.

The role of L-arginine and neutrophils on incisional wound healing

Although arginine plays an important role in many aspects of inflammation and wound healing, the mechanism is not clear. We aimed to evaluate the effect of L-arginine administration on wound healing and neutrophil activity and on the interaction of these effects. Sixteen rats were divided into two groups: control group and L-arginine group. L-arginine was given intraperitoneally. The rats underwent incisional wounding and were killed on the 7th day of wounding. Blood neutrophil counts, neutrophil adhesivity index, tensile strengths and hydroxyproline level of skin were determined, histopathological and electron microscopical evaluation of healing was performed. Wound scores in the control group were significantly lower (p < 0.05). Hydroxyproline and collagen levels of skin were significantly increased in the L-arginine group (p < 0.05). Blood neutrophil counts and neutrophil adhesivity index in the L-arginine group were significantly increased (p < 0.05), as were the inflammatory cells in the skin. L-arginine may be used during the first phase of healing to induce inflammation in high risk patients.

The relationship between neutrophils and incisional wound healing

The systemic administration of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is used clinically to increase circulating neutrophils, but its wound healing effects after intraperitoneal treatment have not been studied yet. We planned to investigate the effect of neutrophils on wound healing under cyclophosphamide and GM-CSF treatment. Forty rats were divided into three groups: control group (group I, n = 12) receiving saline, group II (n = 14) receiving cyclophosphamide and group III (n = 14) receiving GM- CSF. The rats in all groups underwent incisional wounding and were euthanized after 7 days. Blood neutrophil counts and functions, tensile strengths and the hydroxyproline level of skin were determined, and a histopathological evaluation of healing was made. Neutrophil counts and phagocytosis significantly increased in group III and decreased in group II. Although the skin hydroxyproline level did not differ, there was a difference in tensile strength of the wounded skin between group II and group III. The wound score in group II was lower than that in groups III and I. As a result we suggest that systemically given GM-CSF - by increasing the neutrophil count and neutrophil phagocytosis index - can enhance the tensile strength of surgical incisions.

Effects of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on incisional wound healing in an experimental diabetic rat model

The exact nature of poor wound healing in diabetes is uncertain. Neutrophils play a critical role in the host defense mechanism, and it is suggested that impaired neutrophil functions cause healing difficulties with or without infections in diabetic patients. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is used clinically when given systematically to increase the circulating neutrophils, but its wound-healing effects have not been systematically studied. This study was undertaken to examine the effects of GM-CSF on incisional wound healing in an experimental diabetic rat model. Forty rats were randomly divided into three groups, group I receiving saline as control, diabetes-induced group II receiving saline and diabetes-induced group III receiving GM-CSF. The anesthetized rats in all groups were wounded 21 days after diabetes induction by streptozotocin. Blood neutrophil counts and neutrophil fractions were also determined three days after wounding. Tensile strengths of wounded skin and the hydroxyproline (hyp) level of the wound were determined and wound healing processes were evaluated by light and electron microscopy, fourteen days after wounding. Neutrophil counts and phagocytosis were significantly increased in group III and neutrophil counts decreased in group II (p < 0.05). Although the hydroxyproline level of wound tissue significantly decreased in group II as compared with group III (p < 0.05), there was no differences of tensile strength between group II and III (p < 0.05). Wound score in group II was less than that in groups I and III (p < 0.05). It is concluded that PMN may have a role in modulating wound healing. GM-CSF may be useful for creating better wound healing healing. GM-CSF may be useful for creating better wound healing in risky patients such as diabetics.

The role of neutrophils in the formation of peritoneal adhesions

The most common cause of intraperitoneal adhesions which may result in infertility and intestinal obstruction is previous abdominal surgery. Surgical trauma of the peritoneum in the absence of infection elicits a rapid and transient influx of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) into the peritoneal cavity. The role of neutrophils in intraperitoneal adhesion formation has not been studied. We aimed to study the effects of PMN counts and PMN functions on peritoneal adhesion formation. Forty peritoneal adhesion-induced rats were randomly divided into three groups; group I, receiving saline; group II, receiving cyclophosphamide; and group III, receiving granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). In all groups, peritoneal lavage was performed to determine PMN counts the day after adhesion induction. Blood neutrophil counts and neutrophil functions were also determined. Adhesions were evaluated blindly 14 days after the operation. Adhesion tissue samples were microscopically evaluated. Tissue hydroxyproline and collagen concentrations were measured. The neutrophil counts and phagocytosis significantly increased in group III and neutrophil counts decreased in group II (P < 0.05). The score of adhesion formation in group II was significantly less than that in groups I and III (P < 0.05). Hydroxyproline concentrations of adhesion tissue were significantly decreased in group II when compared with group III (P < 0.05). The present study shows that neutropenia lowers the degree of postoperative adhesion formation. It is concluded that PMN may have a role to play in modulating post-operative adhesion formation.