[Changes of intercellular spaces of esophageal epithelium in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease before and after esomeprazole treatment]

Author(s): Tao J, Xiao YL, Chen MH, Peng S, Lin JK, Xiong LS, Hu PJ

Affiliation(s): Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.

Publication date & source: 2007-02-06, Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi., 87(6):392-5.

Publication type: English Abstract; Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of dilated intercellular space (DIS) of esophageal epithelium in different subtypes of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) before and after esomeprazole treatment. METHODS: Nineteen patients with GERD, 6 with erosive esophagitis (EE), 7 with NERD with abnormal acid exposure (NERD pH+), and 6 with NERD with normal acid exposure (NERD pH-), were treated with esomeprazole 40 mg daily for two months. During endoscopy before and after treatment, six biopsy specimens were taken from the apparently normal mucosa 3 - 5 cm above the dentate line in the esophagus to undergo HE staining and histological examination and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Fifteen normal subjects were used as controls. RESULTS: Two months after the treatment 5 cases (83.33%) in the EE group, 6 cases (85.57%) in the NERD pH+ group, and 5 cases (83.33%) in the NERD pH- group showed a complete recovery of DIS and complete disappearance of the symptom of heartburn. Two of the left three patients who showed incomplete recovery of DIS still had heartburn. CONCLUSION: A complete recovery of DIS 2 months after treatment of esomeprazole is always accompanied by resolution of heartburn symptom. No significant difference in complete recovery of DIS can be found among different GERD subgroups.