Urokinase does not prevent abdominal adhesion formation in rats.

Damage to the fibrinolytic system preventing the resolution of temporary fibrinous adhesions was repeatedly mentioned as an etiological factor in the process of adhesion formation. We experimentally induced abdominal adhesions in rats by gentle scraping of the entire small bowel. Severe adhesions, sometimes accompanied by intestinal obstruction, developed in all of the control animals. Urokinase, a commonly used and potent fibrinolytic agent and a known plasminogen activator, was administered intragastrically, intraperitoneally, or intravenously at various doses ranging from 5,000 to 100,000 U/kg. Urokinase had no effect on the prevention of abdominal adhesions, nor did it reduce the severity or frequency of adhesion formation.