Variation of the intercellular space in the esophageal epithelium in response to hydrochloridric acid infusion in patients with erosive esophagitis.
The purpose of this study was to compare esophageal infusion with 0.1 N hydrochloric acid (HCl) to esophageal infusion with saline in patients presenting with typical gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and erosive esophagitis.


METHODS
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed on 44 prospective subjects, 29 of whom were included in the study. Eighteen patients presented with normal esophagi (Control Group "C"), nine of whom were infused with HCl and nine with saline. Eleven patients presented with erosive esophagitis (Lesion Group "L"), five of whom were infused with HCl and six with saline. Biopsies of the esophageal mucosa were collected before and after infusions.


RESULTS
No statistically significant difference was found between the two types of infusions in terms of the dilation of the intercellular space of the esophageal epithelium, regardless of the status of the patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Response to HCl infusion cannot be used as a marker for gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Matos
Ricardo Tedeschi
RT
Department of Gastroenterology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP, Brazil. ritedeschi@yahoo.com.br
Honório
Rodrigo Schuler
RS
Caldini
Elia Garcia
EG
Hashimoto
Claudio Lyoiti
CL
Ferreira
Marcelo Alves
MA
Navarro-Rodriguez
Tomás
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000473:pathology*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D055815:Young Adult
D012965:Sodium Chloride; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid