An incisional hernia is a common complication following abdominal surgery. Polypropylene mesh is frequently used in the repair of such defects and has nearly become the standard surgical treatment modality. Though they are very effective in reducing recurrence, mesh materials exhibit a strong stimulating effect for intraabdominal adhesion. The thymoquinone (TQ) extracted from Nigella sativa seeds has potential medical properties. TQ has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. The aim of this study is to coat polypropylene mesh with TQ in order to investigate the effect of surface modification on intraabdominal adhesions. TQ-coated polypropylene mesh material was tested for cytotoxicity, contact angle, surface spectroscopy, TQ content, sterility, and electron microscopic surface properties. An experimental incisional hernia model was created in study groups, each consisting of 12 female Wistar rats. The defect was closed with uncoated mesh in control group, with polylactic acid (PLA) coated mesh and PLA-TQ coated mesh in study groups. Adhesion scores and histopathologic properties were evaluated after sacrifice on postoperative 21th day. Granuloma formation, lymphocyte and polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration, histiocyte fibroblast and giant cell formation, capillary infiltration, collagen content were significantly reduced in the PLA-TQ coated mesh group (p < 0.05). Though not statistically significant, likely due to the limited number of study animals, adhesion formation was also reduced in the PLA-TQ coated mesh group (p: 0.067). TQ coated mesh is shown to reduce adhesion formation and TQ is a promising coating material for mesh surface modification.

Background and Objectives: During acute pancreatitis, leakage of pancreatic enzymes into the gland results in autolysis of the pancreas. The lungs are also involved in this process. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of esomeprazole on damaged pancreatic tissue and affected lung tissue in rats with acute pancreatitis. Materials and Methods: The 24 Wistar-Albino male rats were divided into three groups: Control group (2 mL 0.9% saline solution was given intraperitoneally, n = 8); PCT group (acute pancreatitis was induced and then 2 mL 0.9% saline solution was administered intraperitoneally, n = 8); ESM group (acute pancreatitis was induced and then 10 mg/kg esomeprazole was administered intraperitoneally, n = 8). Then, the lungs and pancreas were completely removed, and blood samples were taken from all rats for histopathological and biochemical examination. Results: Pancreatic edema, vacuolization, necrosis, and inflammation in the PCT group were higher than in the control and ESM groups. Alveolar edema, alveolar distension, alveolar PMNL infiltration, and alveolar wall thickness in the PCT group were higher than in the control and ESM groups. Furthermore, IL-β (F = 40.137, p < 0.001), TNF-α (F = 40.132, p < 0.001), MIP-2 (X² = 19.245, p < 0.001), ICAM-1 (F = 14.312, p < 0.001), NO (F = 25.873, p < 0. 001), amylase (F = 30.333, p < 0.001), and lipase (X² = 16.141, p < 0.001) values measured in serum were different among groups. Pairwise group comparisons revealed that IL-β, TNF-α, MIP-2, and amylase levels in the ESM group were lower than in the PCT group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Esomeprazole could be recommended in clinical practice during acute pancreatitis treatment due to its therapeutic effects on damaged pancreatic and lung tissues secondary to pancreatitis in rats.