Adenosine and Inosine Prevent Abdominal Adhesions in a Mouse Model

Abdominal adhesions are a major post‐surgical problem with potential severe complications. We have previously shown that adenosine, a naturally occurring nucleoside, inhibits peritoneal adhesions in a mouse model. In the present study, we examined the ability of adenosine and its metabolites inosine and hypoxanthine to inhibit adhesion formation in mice. Methods C57/Bl mice were anesthetized, and an abdominal midline incision was made. The cecum was exposed and brushed with a toothbrush on both sides. The cecum was then returned to the peritoneal cavity, and mice were given a peritoneal lavage of either 1 ml of saline (control), or 1 ml of 1–23 mM adenosine, or 10–90 mM inosine, or 10mM hypoxanthine. The peritoneum was sutured, and mice examined 2 weeks later. Scoring was based on a scale of 1–5, with 1 representing minimal, and 5 representing extensive adhesions. Results All mice tolerated the peritoneal lavage of adenosine, inosine, and hypoxanthine without any systemic effects. Inosine was more effective in reducing adhesions than adenosine. The adhesion formation, compared to control mice, was reduced by 65% with 90 mM inosine and by 37% with 23 mM adenosine. Compared to control, hypoxanthine worsened adhesion formation slightly. Conclusions The reduction in adhesion formation in mice by adenosine and inosine provide strong evidence that adenosine and inosine have anti‐adhesion properties.