Heparin-like polymers derived from dextran enhance colonic anastomosis resistance to leakage.

A new tissue repair agent, RGTA11, is described for its ability to enhance colonic anastomosis repair and resistance to leakage. RGTA11 is a dextran derivative containing 110% carboxymethyl groups, 2.6% carboxymethyl benzylamide groups, and 36.6% carboxymethyl benzylamide sulfonate groups. RGTA11 was deemed efficient to protect the heparin-binding growth factors FGF2 against trypsin digestion. By this property RGTA11 mimicked heparin or heparan sulfate. We have also found that RGTA11 protected TGF beta 1 against trypsin digestion while heparin did not. RGTA11 was then tested in an in vivo wound-healing model of colonic anastomosis. Our results indicate that after 48 h, RGTA11- or RGTA11/FGF-2-treated animals presented a resistance of the anastomosis to leakage which was increased twofold (p < 0.05) over untreated controls. After 96 h and until day 7 there was no more difference with control animals. Our results suggest that RGTA11 presents potential clinical interest by preventing earlier leakage of colonic anastomosis.