The Effects of Doxycycline on Peritoneal Fibrosis Induced by Chemical Peritonitis in Rats

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of doxycycline on changes in peritoneal morphology, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP) activities in peritoneal lavage fluids in a rat model of peritoneal fibrosis due to chemical peritonitis. MATERIAL and METHODS: 21 rats were divided into three groups (n=7). In the first group, we administered chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) intraperitoneally (i.p.) to the rats. In the second group, we administered i.p. doxycycline in addition to CHX to rats. The third group was the control. MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and procollagen type I C-terminal peptide (PICP) levels in the peritoneal fluid were analyzed. Thickness of the peritoneum, amount of immature collagen and the inflammation scores were measured in peritoneal tissue samples. RESULTS: Immature collagen levels in parietal peritoneum, parietal-visceral peritoneal thickness and inflammation scores were compared and a significant difference was observed between the groups (p<0.05). TIMP-1 and PICP levels were compared and a significant difference was observed between the groups (p<0.05). MMP-2 and TIMP-2 levels were compared and no significant difference was observed between the groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: CHX solution leads to peritoneal injury in peritoneal tissue. Although an insignificant difference is present statistically, doxycycline decreases the peritoneal injury due to CHX solution.