Abstract: Objective · To observe the effect of thermosensitive hydroxybutyl chitosan (HBC) hydrogel in the prevention of intrauterine adhesion in New Zealand white rabbits. Methods · Eighteen female New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups, i.e., normal control group, model group and HBC group. Normal control group underwent sham operation. The models of intrauterine adhesion were constructedboth mechanical damage and infection in model group and HBC group. In HBC group, 2 mL 1.5% thermosensitive HBC hydrogel was injected into the uterine cavity immediately after injury. Two rabbits were killed in each group 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after operation, respectively. The bilateral uterine tissues were collected. The endometrial morphology and quantity of glands were observedhematoxylin-eosin staining. The area of fibrosis in endometrium was measuredMasson staining. Results · One week after operation, compared with normal control group, the columnar epithelial cells of endometrium gradually disappeared and the ratio of endometrial fibrosis area increased significantly in the other two groups. The number of glands also decreased. After 2 weeks, intrauterine adhesion was observed in model group, and the ratio of endometrial fibrosis area continued increasing, and the number of glands decreased further. However, in HBC group, there was no residual hydrogel in the uterine cavity, and the ratio of endometrial fibrosis area decreased and the number of glands increased. After 4 weeks, there was a recovery of columnar epithelium cells, the ratio of endometrial fibrosis area, and the number of glands in HBC group, which returned to the normal level. Conclusion · Thermosensitive HBC hydrogel can effectively prevent intrauterine adhesion in New Zealand white rabbits.

Key words: thermosensitive hydroxybutyl chitosan hydrogel, intrauterine adhesion, New Zealand white rabbit