title: Dilated intercellular space in the larynx and esophagus of a rabbit reflux model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we investigated histological and electron microscopic changes of the laryngeal and esophageal epithelium in an animal model of reflux to demonstrate: (1) the association between laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and (2) the value of dilated intercellular space (DIS) as a marker of LPR.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight New Zealand albino rabbits were utilized. Four rabbits underwent total cardiomyectomy to induce reflux. The remains underwent a sham operation as controls. The animals were sacrificed 12 weeks after surgery to obtain histological and electron microscopic results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant differences in the histological results between the study group and the control group in both the esophagus and the larynx (P=0.041 and 0.014). Significant changes in the intercellular space (IS) were observed between the study group and the control group in the esophageal and laryngeal samples (P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest that LPR and GERD have a common mechanism and DIS is a morphologic marker of LPR in rabbits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University, 83 Fenyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China. hu_ying_xxb_@163.com
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Xiaobing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Chuijin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Tianyu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004947:Esophagus / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005110:Extracellular Space; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000473:pathology; D007820:Laryngeal Mucosa / Q000648:ultrastructure; D057045:Laryngopharyngeal Reflux / Q000473:pathology*; D007830:Larynx / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011817:Rabbits