PURPOSE: To clarify the role of chymase produced from mast cells, which are closely related to adhesion formation, we investigated the preventive effect of a chymase inhibitor on adhesion formation in a rat model. METHODS: A lesion was created in rats by uterus scraping, and a chymase inhibitor, Suc-Val-Pro-Phep(OPh)2 (10 microM), or a placebo was injected into the abdomen. The level of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) in the peritoneal fluid was also measured. RESULTS: By 2 weeks after the operation, the scores for adhesion formation in the chymase inhibitor-treated group were significantly lower than those in the placebo-treated group, at 1.64 +/- 0.34 and 3.27 +/- 0.19, respectively (P < 0.01). After scraping the uterus, the level of TGF-beta in the peritoneal fluid was significantly higher in the placebo-treated group, whereas it was significantly suppressed by the chymase inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: Chymase may play an important role in adhesion formation aided by TGF-beta.
PURPOSE: To clarify the role of chymase produced from mast cells, which are closely related to adhesion formation, we investigated the preventive effect of a chymase inhibitor on adhesion formation in a rat model. METHODS: A lesion was created in rats by uterus scraping, and a chymase inhibitor, Suc-Val-Pro-Phep(OPh)2 (10 microM), or a placebo was injected into the abdomen. The level of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) in the peritoneal fluid was also measured. RESULTS: By 2 weeks after the operation, the scores for adhesion formation in the chymase inhibitor-treated group were significantly lower than those in the placebo-treated group, at 1.64 +/- 0.34 and 3.27 +/- 0.19, respectively (P < 0.01). After scraping the uterus, the level of TGF-beta in the peritoneal fluid was significantly higher in the placebo-treated group, whereas it was significantly suppressed by the chymase inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS:Chymase may play an important role in adhesion formation aided by TGF-beta.