Characteristics of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation in humans

High-resolution Manometry: Esophageal Disorders Not Addressed by the "Chicago Classification"

The development of the high-resolution esophageal manometry (HRM) and the Chicago classification have improved the diagnosis and management of esophageal motility disorders. However, some conditions have yet to be addressed by this classification. This review describes findings in HRM which are not included in the current Chicago classification based on the experience in our center. This includes the analysis of the upper esophageal sphincter, proximal esophagus, longitudinal muscle contraction, disorders related to gastroesophageal reflux disease and respiratory symptoms. The utility of provocative tests and the use of HRM in the evaluation of rumination syndrome and post-surgical patients will also be discussed. We believe that characterization of the manometric findings in these areas will eventually lead to incorporation of new criteria into the existing classification.

Induced opening of the gastroesophageal junction occurs at a lower gastric pressure in gerd patients and in hiatal hernia subjects than in normal control subjects

Purpose. To determine intragastric pressure threshold for inducing gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) opening in normal control subjects with and without hiatal hernia, and in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Methods. This study was performed in 13 normal volunteers, 5 volunteers with hiatal hernia, and 3 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. During endoscopy a pressure transducer was used to measure baseline gastric pressures. The pressure in the stomach was measured while air was insufflated into the stomach until the gastroesophageal junction opened on endoscopic view. Results. There were two patterns of GEJ opening in normal volunteers. The mean opening pressure for Gastroesophageal junction in normal pattern-I, normal pattern-II, hiatal hernia, and Gastroesophageal reflux patients was 11.5, 12.6, 3.4, and 1.3 mmHg, respectively. Conclusions. GEJ opening is induced at a significantly lower pressure in subjects with hiatal hernia and in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease than in normal volunteers.

Effects and mechanisms of electroacupuncture at PC6 on frequency of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation in cats

AIM: To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at neiguan (PC6) on gastric distention-induced transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESRs) and discuss the mechanisms of this treatment.

METHODS: ProtocolI: Twelve healthy cats underwent gastric distention for 60 min on the first day. Electrical acupoint stimulation was applied at the neiguan or a sham point on the hip in randomized order before gastric distention, on the third day and fifth day. Those cats that underwent EA at neiguan on the fifth day were named “Neiguan Group” and the cats that underwent EA at a sham acupoint on the fifth day were named “Sham Group” (control group). During the experiment the frequency of TLESRs and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure were observed by a perfused sleeve assembly. Plasma levels of gastrin (GAS) and motilin (MTL) were determined by radioimmunoassay. Nitrite/nitrate concentration in plasma and tissues were measured by Griess reagent. The nuclei in the brain stem were observed by immunohistochemistry method of c-Fos and NADPH-d dyeing. Protocol II: Thirty six healthy cats were divided into 6 groups randomly. We gave saline (2 mL iv. control group), phaclofen (5 mg/kg iv. GABA-B antagonist), cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) (1 μg/kg per hour iv.), L-Arginine (200 mg/kg iv.), naloxone (2.5 μmol/kg iv.) and tacrine (5.6 mg/kg ip. cholinesterase inhibitor) respectively before EA at Neiguan and gastric distention. And the frequencies of TLESRs in experimental groups were compared with the control group.

RESULTS: ProtocolI: Not only the frequency of gastric distention-induced TLESR in 60 min but also the rate of common cavity during TLESRs were significantly decreased by EA at neiguan compared to that of sham acupoint stimulation. C-Fos immunoreactivity and NOS reactivity in the solitarius (NTS) and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) were significantly decreased by EA at neiguan compared to that of the sham group. However, the positive nuclei of C-Fos and NOS in reticular formation of the medulla (RFM) were increased by EA at neiguan. Protocol II: The inhibited effect of EA at neiguan on TLESR’s frequency was completely restored by pretreatment with CCK (23.5/h vs 4.5/h, P < 0.05), L-arginine (17.5/h vs 4.5/h, P < 0.05) and naloxone(12/h vs 4.5/h, P < 0.05). On the contrary, phaclofen (6/h vs 4.5/h, P > 0.05) and tacrine (9.5/h vs 4.5/h, P > 0.05) did not influence it.

CONCLUSION: Electric acupoint stimulation at Neiguan significantly inhibits the frequency of TLESR and the rate of common cavity during TLESR in cats. This effect appears to act on the brain stem, and may be mediated through nitric oxide (NO), CCK-A receptor and mu-opioid receptors. But the GABAB receptor and acetylcholine may not be involved in it.

Common cavity pressure during gastroesophageal reflux: reassessment using simultaneous pressure, impedance, and ultrasound imaging

An increase in intraesophageal pressure during transient lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation [referred to as common cavity (CC) pressure] is thought to be a marker of gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Multiluminal impedance (MII) measurement is a sensitive marker of reflux entry into the esophagus during GER. We recorded GER using esophageal pressure, pH, impedance, and intraluminal ultrasound (US) images to understand the genesis of the esophageal CC pressure. Nine normal subjects underwent simultaneous MII/pH/pressure and US image recording of the esophagus for 2 h following a standardized meal. MII and pressure transducers were located at 5 and 15 cm above the LES. The US transducer and pH sensors were also placed at 5 cm above the LES. Refluxate entry into the esophagus by MII criteria was determined relative to the onset of CC pressure wave. Esophageal lumen cross-sectional area (CSA) and muscle CSA during GER were determined from the US images. Eighty liquid GER episodes identified using MII criteria, of which 55 were clearly associated with CC pressure waves, were analyzed. The GER reached 15 cm above LES in 49 of 55 (89%) by MII criteria, but the CC pressure wave was observed at 5 and 15 cm during all episodes. The propagation of the CC pressure wave was simultaneous between 5 and 15 cm during 49 of 55 (89%) of the GER episodes, but reflux entry by MII criteria was retrograde during 53 of 55 (96%) of these episodes. During 5 air-reflux episodes, MII showed a simultaneous reflux entry between the 5- and 15-cm site, however, the CC pressure preceded reflux entry during all of these episodes. There was poor correlation between the luminal CSA and the magnitude of CC pressure (R(2) = 0.144). US images revealed a close temporal correlation between CC pressure and the increase in esophageal muscle thickness and muscle CSA (markers of longitudinal muscle contraction). Disassociation between CC pressure and MII-detected reflux suggests that the onset of CC pressure is not due to GER. We speculate that longitudinal muscle contraction plays an important role in the genesis of CC pressure.

Postprandial gastroesophageal reflux in normal volunteers and symptomatic patients

A structurally intact and competent lower esophageal sphincter in the experimental model shortens and becomes incompetent during gastric distention. The aim of this study was to evaluate postprandial reflux as an indirect measure of this volume-induced sphincter shortening and incompetency. Reflux (pH <4) in the 2-hour period following a meal was retrospectively analyzed from the 24-hour esophageal pH recordings of 94 healthy volunteers and 609 symptomatic patients. Forty-six percent of patients had pathologic postprandial reflux (>95th percentile of normal). The prevalence was lower in patients with a structurally intact compared to a defective lower esophageal sphincter (32% vs. 58%; P <0.001). Pathologic postprandial reflux was greater in patients with abnormal compared to normal findings on 24-hour pH study (76% vs. 21%; P <0.001). Patients with a normal 24-hour pH study and postprandial reflux had shorter sphincter lengths (2.33 vs. 2.82 cm; P <0.001) and lower pressures (10.78 vs. 14.24 mm Hg; P <0.005). A hiatal hernia increased the prevalence of postprandial reflux (P <0.001) in all patients (67% vs. 38%) and in the subgroup with a structurally intact sphincter (75% vs. 27%, P <0.001). Postprandial reflux is a dynamic indicator of sphincter competency, and increases as the structural sphincter characteristics deteriorate and is augmented by a hiatal hernia.