Salivary function in patients with reflux esophagitis: effect of cisapride.
Saliva plays an important role in esophageal acid clearance. Reduction in salivary function has been considered in the pathogenesis of reflux esophagitis. Cisapride, a prokinetic agent, has been reported effective for treating mild-to-moderate grade gastroesophageal reflux disease. Some studies have shown that cisapride increases saliva volume and acid-buffering capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cisapride on salivary gland function by means of dynamic salivary scintigraphy.


METHODS
Fifty-five patients with endoscopic reflux esophagitis (Savary-Miller Grades I-II) were enrolled in this study. In Group 1 (n = 29), patients were evaluated during the fasting state, both before and after cisapride treatment (5 mg, 3 times/day, before meals, for 2 wk). In Group 2 (n = 26), patients were evaluated during the postprandial state, both before and after cisapride treatment. Uptake ratio (UR) and excretion ratio (ER) of the salivary gland in each group were compared using the paired Student's t-test.


RESULTS
In Group 1, no significant differences were found in UR or ER after cisapride treatment. However, in Group 2, ER increased significantly after treatment (p < 0.01), but UR did not show any significant change.


CONCLUSIONS
Cisapride can increase the secretion function of salivary glands during the postprandial phase but not the fasting phase.
Chen
S D
SD
Department of Internal Medicine, Provincial Fong Yuan Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Kao
C H
CH
Chang
C S
CS
Chen
G H
GH
D020117:Cisapride; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019518:Postprandial Period; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012472:Salivation / Q000187:drug effects*; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; D020117:Cisapride