The effect of 10-hydroxycamptothecine in preventing fibroblast proliferation and epidural scar adhesion after laminectomy in rats

Little is known about the influence of 10-hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) on fibroblast proliferation and pathological changes in epidural scar tissue after laminectomy. Here we illustrated the effect of HCPT on fibroblast proliferation and epidural scar adhesion after laminectomy in rats. In the present study, seventy-two rats underwent laminectomies at Lumbar-1 level, then HCPT in various concentrations (0.1, 0.05, and 0.01 mg/ml) or saline (9 mg/ml) were applied to the laminectomy sites. Four weeks later the rats were killed and the epidural adhesion was evaluated. The area of epidural scar tissue and the number of fibroblasts were also determined. The degree of epidural adhesion was classified according to Rydell standard. The results showed that no or little epidural adhesions were seen in the laminectomy sites treated with 0.1 mg/ml HCPT. The Rydell classification, the area of epidural scar tissue and the number of fibroblasts in 0.1 mg/ml HCPT group were significantly less than those of 0.05 mg/ml HCPT group, 0.01 mg/ml HCPT group and saline group. Moderate epidural adhesions were noted in the laminectomy sites of 0.05 mg/ml HCPT group. The Rydell classification, the area of scar tissue and the number of fibroblasts were less than those of 0.01 mg/ml HCPT group and saline group. However, dense epidural adhesions were found in 0.01 mg/ml HCPT group and saline group. The Rydell classification, the area of scar tissue and the number of fibroblasts showed no significant difference compared with those of saline group. In conclusion, topical application of 0.1 mg/ml HCPT could effectively prevent fibroblast proliferation and reduce epidural adhesion after laminectomy in rats.