Effect of sirolimus on the regression of peritoneal sclerosis in an experimental rat model

• Published in: International urology and nephrology 2012-06, Vol.44 (3), p.977-982
• Main Authors: Ceri, Mevlut, Unverdi, Selman, Dogan, Mehmet, Unverdi, Hatice, Karaca, Gokhan, Kocak, Gulay, Kurultak, Ilhan, Akbal, Erdem, Can, Murat, Duranay, Murat
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Chlorhexidine - analogs & derivatives; Female; Immunosuppressive Agents - therapeutic use; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 - metabolism; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Nephrology; Nephrology – Original Paper; Peritoneal Dialysis - adverse effects; Peritoneal Fibrosis - chemically induced; Peritoneal Fibrosis - drug therapy; Peritoneal Fibrosis - enzymology; Peritoneal Fibrosis - pathology; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sirolimus - therapeutic use; Statistics, Nonparametric; Urology
• ISSN: 0301-1623; 1573-2584
• DOI: 10.1007/s11255-012-0167-3

Purpose Immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory agents have recently become increasingly popular in the treatment of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS). The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of sirolimus on EPS in a rat model. Methods We separated 32 non-uremic rats into four groups: 1 control group, 2 ml isotonic saline injected IP daily for 3 weeks; 2 chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) group, 2 ml 0,1 % CG and 15 % ethanol dissolved in saline injected IP daily for 3 weeks; 3 resting group, CG (weeks 0–3) plus peritoneal rest (weeks 3–6); 4 sirolimus group, CG (weeks 0–3), plus 0.2 ml (1 mg/ml) sirolimus (weeks 3–6). Pathological samples were examined by using hematoxylin eosin (HE) and Masson’s trichrome stains. Peritoneal thickness, fibrosis, vascular changes, and inflammation were evaluated by light microscopy. Finally, tissue metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Results In the CG group, there was a significant increase in peritoneal thickness, inflammatory activity, and fibrosis score compared to the control group ( p