Overproduction of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is associated with adhesion formation and peritoneal fibrinolytic impairment

Background, Reduction in peritoneal fibrinolytic capacity and increased tra nsforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) production are associated with ad hesion development. This study investigated the expression of TGF-beta1 in peritoneal tissue, and possible correlation with components of the fibrinol ytic system locally In peritoneal tissue. Materials and methods. Peritoneal samples were taken from 22 patients at re laparotomy. samples of adhesions were collected from 10 patients. The patie nts were categorized into different groups depending on the quantity and th e quality of adhesions. TGF-beta1 and components of the fibrinolytic system in tissue extracts were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results. The concentration of active TGF-beta1 in peritoneal samples from p atients with extensive adhesions was double (P <. 01) that of healthy subje cts, but the total levels of TGF-<beta>1 were similar (P =.63). In adhesion tissue, both active (P <.003) and total (P <.008) TGF-beta1 concentrations were more than twice as high as unaffected peritoneum. There was a signifi cant correlation between the concentration of plasminogen activator inhibit or type 1 in peritoneal samples with active TGF-beta1 (P <. 03, r = 0.693) and adhesion tissue with total TGF-<beta>1 (P =.001, r = 0.872). The other components of the fibrinolytic system did not correlate significantly with TGF-beta1. Conclusions, These data indicate that an overexpression of TGF-beta1 is ass ociated with adhesion formation, possibly through a mechanism involving loc al regulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1.