Lysyl oxidase transcripts in peritoneal adhesions and incisional scars

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of lysyl oxidase in postsurgical adhesion formation and incision wound repair. STUDY DESIGN: Female New Zealand rabbits underwent a pelvic-peritoneum adhesion-inducing operation under sterile conditions. In brief, the uterine horns were removed from the abdomen and abraded with surgical gauze and a scalpel blade. The horns were then replaced into the abdominal cavity, the incision was sutured, and the animals were allowed to recover. The animals were killed before lesion development and after 2, 4, 8, and 14 days of postsurgical recovery. The abraded uterine horns, abdominal wall incisional wound and a portion of the sidewall peritoneum were then removed. Total RNA was extracted using the guanidinium thiocyanate-phenolchloroform method. Northern blot analysis was performed with an [α- ³²P]-labeled lysyl oxidase probe. RESULTS: Lysyl oxidase was expressed during abdominal wall incision repair on days 2 and 4 of postsurgical recovery, declining thereafter (days 8 and 14). In contrast, no increase in lysyl oxidase expression was noted in the uterine horns as compared to the control sidewall peritoneum. CONCLUSION: Lysyl oxidase plays a differential role in the early stages of abdominal wall and uterine horn repair.