Effects of Novel Cross-Linked Chondroitin Sulfate (SI-449) as a Postoperative Anti-Adhesion Barrier.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative adhesion often develops as a natural physiological response following abdominal and pelvic surgeries. Although existing resorbable adhesion barriers have reduced the incidence of postoperative adhesion formation, their clinical efficacy requires improvement. In this study, we generated a novel cross-linked, powder-formed chondroitin sulfate (SI-449) as an effective postoperative anti-adhesion barrier. We evaluated its anti-adhesion effect in animal models of abdominal and pelvic surgeries and elucidated its mechanism of action.

METHODS: Rats in the cecum-abraded adhesion and uterine horn adhesion models were treated with SI-449 and Seprafilm, and adhesion frequency and scores were evaluated. The mechanisms underlying this anti-adhesion effect were examined histopathologically using a cecum-abraded adhesion model.

RESULTS: In the cecum-abraded adhesion model, SI-449 reduced the adhesion frequency and total adhesion score to 30% and 1.6, respectively, compared with 100% and 8.1 in the control group and 50% and 2.5 in the Seprafilm group. We observed an SI-449-like substance between the cecum and abdominal wall and no fibrin net structure connecting the invasive tissues after surgery, as observed in the control group. In the rat uterine horn adhesion model, SI-449 reduced the adhesion frequency to 40%, compared with 100% in the control.

CONCLUSIONS: SI-449 exhibits anti-adhesion activity in animal models of postoperative adhesion. The mechanism of action of SI-449 during wound healing suggests mechanical obstruction of fibrin net structure formation, which is a key step in the development of adhesions at surgical sites. SI-449 is a promising candidate for preventing postoperative adhesions in clinical practice.