Differences in Peritoneal Stem Cells in Women With and Without Adhesions After Gynaecological Surgery

Our study aims to characterise a possible pluripotent cell population in the abdomen responsible for peritoneal adhesions. We therefore want to take samples from women undergoing planned laparoscopic surgery with and without adhesions, isolate the cells and characterise them for markers of pluripotency.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Peritoneal Adhesions
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Tissue sample donation

Detailed Description

Peritoneal adhesions are connective tissue bands between two normally separate anatomical structures within the abdominal or pelvic cavity. Those adhesions can occur after gynaecological or other surgeries involving the pelvis or abdomen. Adhesions have severe clinical as well as economical Consequences. There is substantial morbidity (from chronical pain to obstructions and infertility) and a higher surgical risk if additional surgery is needed, due to a higher intraoperative blood loss and a higher incidence of lacerations when peritoneal adhesions are present. In combination with a prolonged surgery duration, the economical impact is tremendous. A 2011 study estimated the cost of adhesion - related surgeries to be 2,3 billion US dollar exclusively in the USA. 46.3% of those surgeries had their origin or localisation in the gynaecological area. The genesis of adhesiolysis - obligatory peritoneal adhesions remains unclear to this date.

After all surgeries cytokine induced fibrotic bands appear within 72 hours. Usually those bands are eliminated by a fibrinolytic sequence within 10 days.

For Adhesions that persist afterwards the generally accepted assumption is, that there is a failure of the fibrinolytic sequence with unknown origin. Adhesions which persist for more than 10-14 days become thicker and vascularised. In those "adult" adhesions not only fibrin is found but also fat tissue, smooth muscles and myelinised and un - myelinised axons.

In developmental biology those tissues differentiate from different germ layers, namely mesoderm and ectoderm. Finding cells from multiple germ layers points towards a pluri -, multi-, or stem cell like precursor cell from which those adhesions develop. Such a cellpopulation has not been characterised in the abdomen to the date of writing, though Studies have shown evidence (ranging from mesothelial - to - mesenchymal shift to Clusters of differentiation from multiple germ layers) which made multiple researchers postulate a pluripotent precursor cell located in the submesothelium.

In our research we will therefore take peritoneal samples from adhesions, peritoneal wall lining and omentum in subjects with and without peritoneal adhesions in subjects undergoing indicated laparoscopic surgery at the gynaecological ward at the Pius hospital in Oldenburg.

The samples are routinely taken as part of the procedure and usually discarded. At least 24 hours prior to surgery, the subjects will have a chance to give their informed consent to donate those samples for our study. The study is thus designed in a way that subjects won't undergo additional risk by participating in the study. Taking part or the refusal hereof won't have any effect on the treatment or surgical outcome for the subjects. Also, taking part in our study won't have any benefits or additional risks for the subjects.

The samples will then be taken to the university of Leipzig, where we will culture, isolate and characterise the cells. Characterisation will mostly be the application of pluripotency markers, cell sorting and immunoassays. Expression profiles will be used to further understand the mesothelial - to - mesenchymal shift. Depending on our findings the protocol for analysis will be adjusted in consultation with Prof. dr. dr. De Wilde and Prof. dr. Bader.

The study will approximately take 6 months, with an additional 6 months for writing and publication. The study is funded by the research funding pool of the university of Oldenburg.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 40

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Rudy Leon De Wilde, Prof. dr. dr. med; Phone Number: 0441 2291501; Email: gyn-sekretariat@pius-hospital.de

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

All patients undergoing scheduled pelvic gynecological surgical treatment, at the Gynecology Department of Pius Hospital, Oldenburg.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Woman equal to and above 18 years of age.
2. Woman with a negative pregnancy test at the time of recruitment, and sufficient contraception from time of
3. Woman with any gynecological pathology requiring scheduled pelvic gynecological surgery, either laparotomy or laparoscopy.
4. Woman without primary peritoneal disease.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Woman with a primary peritoneal pathology.
2. Emergency surgery
3. Patients under systemic immunosuppressive therapy in the previous 6 months
4. Patients with current intra-abdominal or pelvic abscess or systemic infection
5. Pregnant woman
6. Simultaneous participation in another clinical trail

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

4

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
No previous surgery, adhesions present.; Patients have had no previous abdominal surgery. Inspection shows peritoneal adhesions.	Procedure: Tissue sample donation; Patients undergo planned gynaecological surgery. Tissue samples, which are routinely taken, are donated.
No previous surgery, no adhesions present.; Patients have had no previous abdominal surgery. Inspection shows no peritoneal adhesions.	Procedure: Tissue sample donation; Patients undergo planned gynaecological surgery. Tissue samples, which are routinely taken, are donated.
Previous surgery, adhesions present.; Patients have had previous abdominal surgery. Inspection shows peritoneal adhesions.	Procedure: Tissue sample donation; Patients undergo planned gynaecological surgery. Tissue samples, which are routinely taken, are donated.
Previous surgery, no adhesions present.; Patients have had previous abdominal surgery. Inspection shows no peritoneal adhesions.	Procedure: Tissue sample donation; Patients undergo planned gynaecological surgery. Tissue samples, which are routinely taken, are donated.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pluripotency markers (Sox2, Nanog, Klf 4, Oct 3/4)	days since previous surgery	at least 10

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Pius-Hospital Oldenburg
• Collaborators: University of Leipzig; University of Oldenburg

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: August 1, 2016
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): January 1, 2017
• Study Completion (Anticipated): August 1, 2017

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 25, 2016
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 25, 2016
• First Posted (Estimate): July 28, 2016

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): July 28, 2016
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 25, 2016
• Last Verified: July 1, 2016

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Stem cells; MSC; Peritoneal adhesions
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Fibrosis; Cicatrix; Tissue Adhesions
• Other Study ID Numbers: PHDW-005

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No