Interleukin 10: ability to minimize postoperative intraperitoneal adhesion formation in a murine model

Abstract

To determine the ability of interleukin 10 (IL-10) to suppress postoperative intraperitoneal adhesion formation. Randomized, controlled trial. University animal research facility. Six-week-old Swiss Webster mice undergoing a standardized intraperitoneal operative procedure. Animals were randomized to "surgery" or "no surgery" and then further randomized to receive intraperitoneal injections of 1 mL phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or 1 microgram/kg IL-10 in 1 mL PBS. Vehicle-only doses were given immediately after surgery and then every 24 hours for a total of four injections. Interleukin 10 injections were similarly given but with an added preoperative injection 30 minutes before surgery in one half of the animals. Adhesion formation. Animals treated with vehicle or IL-10 but not undergoing surgical intervention had no intraperitoneal adhesions. Animals undergoing surgery who were treated with IL-10, with or without a preoperative dose, had significantly lower postoperative adhesion scores than did control animals who postoperatively received PBS only. Interleukin-10 is effective at limiting postoperative intraperitoneal adhesion formation with minimal evident systemic side effects.