Abstract: Objective:To evaluate the anti-adhesion properties of xyloglucan(mXG)hydrogel in the L929 mouse fibroblasts,to establish the animal model of recurrent adhesion in the rats after adhesionlysis,and to investigate the prevention effect of mXG hydrogel in recurrent adhesion and its influence in the expressions of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). Methods: After seeding on the surface of mXG gel,the adhesion property of L929 mouse fibroblasts was detected with fluorescence staining.The rat models of recurrent adhesion were established after adhesionlysis.Fourty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups respectively(n=16).In adhesion group,1 mL saline was injected into the abdominal wall and cecum of the rats; in commercial membrane group,the 2 cm×3 cm chitosan anti-adhesion membrane was used to cover the wound of abdominal wall of the rats;in mXG hydrogel group,1 mL 4% mXG hydrogel was injected into the abdominal wall and cecal wound of the rats,and abdominal surgery was ended after the complete formation of the hydrogel (3 min).Eight rats were killed in each group 7 and 14 d after the second operation,and the degrees of adhesion were evaluated and the histological changes were observed.Immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the expression levels of CTGF and TGF-β1. Results: A large number of L929 mouse fibroblasts proliferated well and exhibited a spherical morphology in control group; but in mXG hydrogel group,only very little L929 mouse fibroblasts were globular,showing the mXG hydrogel had good resistance to the adhesion of L929 mouse fibroblasts.Blunt separate adhesion surface formed in all of the rats after operation.7 d after the second operation, 4-5 score adhesion with fibrous connective tissue hyperplasia formed in adhesion group;moderate adhesion formed in commercial membrane group with more connective tissue;most cecum and abdominal wall began to heal in mXG hydrogel group with less connective tissue.14 d after the second operation,more severe peritoneal adhesions presented in adhesion group with proliferated fiber connetive tissue and collegan;severe adhesions also presented in commercial membrane group; mild adhesion was found in two rats mXG group,the other rats had no adhesion, and the defects were almost completely recovered.On days 7 and 14 after the second operation,the mean adhesion score of the rats in mXG group was significantly lower than those in adhesion group and commercial membrane group(P<0.05).The expression levels of TGF-β1 and CTGF were increased with the increase of peritoneal adhesion scores and collagen deposition;the expression levels of TGF-β1 and CTGF were the highest in adgesion group and the lowest in mXG group. Conclusion: mXG hydrogels have good resistance to fibroblast adhesion,and mXG hydrogel is effective in reducing the formation of recurrent adhesion in the rats after adhesionlysis and can decrease the expression levels of adhesion-related factors TGF-β1 and CTGF.

Key words: xyloglucan hydrogel, transforming growth factor β1, recurrent adhesion, adhesionlysis, connective tissue growth factor