Immunohistochemical analysis of the effect of purified collagen gel coverage on polypropylene mesh integration in rats

• Grant number: 13/05841-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2013
• End date: May 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Cássio Luís Zanettini Riccetto
• Grantee: Cássio Luís Zanettini Riccetto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Alessandro Corrêa Prudente dos Santos ; Fernando Goulart Fernandes Dias ; Wagner José Fávaro

Abstract

The use of synthetic meshes, specially the monofilament polypropylene mesh, has recently become the standart treatment of urinary incontinence and vaginal prolapses. Even though presenting high cure rates of up to 90%, complications related to integration issues, such as exposure or erosion of the mesh, can not be neglected. The collagen well known as an important immunoinflammatory modulator has been speculated to be a usefull tool in the healing process and possibly improving integration of meshes. The aim of this study is to evaluate, using immunohistochemical techniques, the effect of the use of purified collagen gel covering the monofilament polypropylene mesh implanted subcutaneously in rats, regarding immune-inflammatory response, collagen metabolism, angiogenesis, necrosis and apoptosis. The samples that will be analysed are derived -from procedures already performed during a previous study of our research group, using 20 female Wistar rats, in which were implanted in each animal, at one side of the abdominal wall, a monofilament polypropylene mesh and on the other side, the same mesh covered with purified collagen gel. The animals were divided into three sub-groups containing 5 animals each and were euthanized at 7, 14, 21 and 90 days after implantation. The immunohistochemical assessment of the samples will be done by using specific reagents for the evaluation of points of interest: a) Immunologic (Interleukin 1 (IL-1)), b) Collagen metabolism (Matrix Metalloproteinases 2 and 3 ( MMP-2 and 3)), c) Angiogenesis (surface antigen CD-31), d) Necrosis and apoptosis (Receptor for Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - TNF-alfa). By the end of this study we expect to understand more precisely the role of the use of purified bovine collagen concerning tissue integration of meshes. (AU)