Esophageal epithelial surface in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease: an electron microscopic study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the intercellular spaces between the most superficially located esophageal epithelial cells in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).


METHODS
Eighteen patients with erosive esophagitis, 10 patients with non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), and 18 normal asymptomatic volunteers were enrolled. Biopsy specimens were obtained from the lower esophageal mucosa without ulcer or erosion. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to investigate the tightness of the superficial cellular attachment.


RESULTS
The intercellular space between the most superficially located epithelial cells in patients with erosive esophagitis or NERD was not different from that in asymptomatic healthy individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
Widened luminal intercellular spaces of esophageal superficial epithelium are not responsible for the induction of reflux symptoms in patients with GERD.
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Shimane University School of Medicine, 89-1, Enya-cho, Izumo-shi, Shimane 693-8501, Japan.
Takane
T
Azumi
Kyoichi
K
Adachi
Kenji
K
Furuta
Shuji
S
Nakata
Shunji
S
Ohara
Kenji
K
Koshino
Masaharu
M
Miki
Terumi
T
Morita
Takashi
T
Tanimura
Nobuo
N
Ashizawa
Yoshikazu
Y
Kinoshita
D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000473:pathology*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005110:Extracellular Space; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged