Emerging concepts of bile reflux in the constellation of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
BACKGROUND
Reflux of gastric and duodenal contents in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been postulated as a major cause of complications, such as Barrett's esophagus or malignant degeneration.


RESULTS
We present a summary of experimental, clinical, and immunohistochemical studies that show that acid and bile reflux are increased in patients who suffer from GERD, are the key factor in the pathogenesis of Barrett's esophagus, and are possibly related to the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Kauer
Werner K H
WK
Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral- und Thoraxchirurgie, Klinikum Nord, Nürnberg, Germany. werner_kauer@yahoo.de
Stein
Hubert J
HJ
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000209:etiology*; D000818:Animals; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000209:etiology*; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000737:chemistry; D001655:Bile Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000032:analysis; D004285:Dogs; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D050782:Esophageal pH Monitoring; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000209:etiology*; D005750:Gastric Juice / Q000737:chemistry; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats
D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D001663:Bilirubin