Background: The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effects of melatonin and phospholipid on adhesion formation and the correlation with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in rats.
Methods: Sixty Wistar-Albino rats were divided into four groups as sham, control and two study groups, each including 15 rats. In the sham group, laparotomy was the only procedure. Left lower parietal peritoneum was abraded after laparotomy and serosal defects formed on the cecum, ileum and right uterine horn in the study and control groups. Ringer lactate was then applied to the control group, while melatonin and phospholipid suspension were applied separately in the two study groups. Relaparotomy was performed in all groups on the 15th day to score and evaluate the adhesion formation.
Results: Adhesion formation was significantly lower in the sham, melatonin and phospholipid groups than in the control group (p<0.05). VEGF staining was significantly higher in the control group with adhesion areas compared to the other groups (p<0.05). When VEGF staining was compared, there was no significant difference between VEGF- stained and normal areas in the melatonin and phospholipid groups.
Conclusion: Melatonin and phospholipid decreased the adhesion formation in an experimental adhesion model in rats. There is a correlation between adhesion severity and VEGF expression.