ObjectiveTo observe effect of interferon-γ in preventing intestinal adhesion following abdominal surgery in rats.MethodsA total of 60 Wistar rats were selected, which were randomly divided into a sham operation (SO) group, model group, dexamethasone (DXMS) group, and interferon-γ group, then the interferon-γ group was randomly divided into a low, medium, and high concentrations subgroups. Except for the SO group, the laparotomies with file friction caecum were performed for all the other groups to establish the intestinal adhesion model. SO group and model group were intraperitoneally injected with saline for 4 mL/kg. The 10 mg/kg dexamethasone was injected into the abdominal cavity of rats in the DXMS group. The 7.5×104, 1.5×105, and 3.0×105 U/kg interferon-γ concentrations were injected into the abdominal cavity of rats in the low, medium, and high concentrations subgroups respectively. The Nair grading of cecum adhesion degree was assessed on the 8th day after the surgery, then the histopathological change was observed by the HE staining under the microscopy and the hydroxyproline content in the cecum tissue was detected.Results① The intestinal adhesion: Compared with the SO group, the intestinal adhesions occurred in all the other groups and the degrees of intestinal adhesions evaluated by the Nair grading were more significantly serious (P<0.05), which in the DXMS group and the medium and high concentrations of interferon-γ subgroups were significantly reduced (P<0.05) as compared with the model group, which in the high concentration of interferon-γ subgroup was significantly reduced (P<0.05) as compared with the DXMS group. ② The microscopic observation of histopathological results: Compared with the DXMS group, the high concentration of interferon-γ could effectively reduce the occurrence of fibrous tissue and inflammatory cell infiltration, the intestinal wall muscular layer structure was complete, a few inflammatory cells scattered in the infiltration. ③ The hydroxyproline content: The contents of hydroxyproline in the cecum tissue of the model group, DXMS group, and interferon-γ subgroups were significantly increased (P<0.05) as compared with the SO group, which of the DXMS group and medium and high concentrations of interferon-γ subgroups were significantly decreased (P<0.05) as compared with the model group, which of the high concentration of interferon-γ subgroup was significantly decreased (P<0.05) as compared with the DXMS group.ConclusionInterferon-γ has a preventive and therapeutic effect on postoperative intestinal adhesion and cecum injuries.