Preventive effect of sphingosine kinase-1 gene transfer on postoperative intestinal adhesion

Objective To determine the effect of SPK1 gene transfer on the recovery of damaged mesothelial cell layer and on the postoperative formation of peritoneal adhesions. Methods The migration of mesothelial ceils was determined by scratch wound motility assay. The cellular SPK1 activity was determined by [γ-32p] ATP incorporation. Wistar rats underwent laparotomy with subsequent cecum and uterine horn abrasion by using dry sterile gauze. Rats were randomized to either SPKI gene transfer or control groups. The animals were sacrificed on postoperative day 14. The formation of adhesions was graded. Resuits Adenovirus-mediated SPKI gene transfer could increase the cellular activity of mesothehal cells, leading to enhanced migration. The adhesion median scores of the control and Ad-SPK1 groups were 2.6 and 0. 975 ( in the rat cecum model), 1. 275 and 0.275 ( in the rat uterine horn model) ,respectively. Adhesion scores of Ad-SPK1 groups were significantly lower than in the control group ( P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusion SPK1 gene transfer can promote the proliferation and migration of abdominal mesothelial cells and effectively prevent the occurrence of postoperation intestinal adhesion. Key words: Intestinal adhesion;  Mesothelial ceils;  Sphingosine kinase;  Adenoviral vector