Changes in ghrelin-related factors in gastroesophageal reflux disease in rats. Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2013;2013:504816. [PMID: 23653638 PMCID: PMC3638645 DOI: 10.1155/2013/504816]

Associations of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Obestatin, Leptin, and Ghrelin with Gastroesophageal Reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is commonly observed in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Hormonal disorders observed in OSA may be relevant in the development of GERD. The aim of the study was to assess the correlations between ghrelin, obestatin, leptin, and the intensity of GERD in patients with OSA. The study included 58 patients hospitalized due to clinical suspicion of sleep disorders during sleep. All patients underwent a sleep study, and blood samples were collected overnight for hormonal tests. Survey data concerning symptoms of GERD, gastroscopy, and esophageal pH monitoring results were included in the study. In patients with OSA, GERD was twice as common when compared to the group without OSA. Among subjects with severe sleep apnea (AHI > 30; n = 31; 53%), we observed lower ghrelin levels, especially in the second half of the night and in the morning (p_5.00 = 0.0207; p_7.00 = 0.0344); the presence of OSA had no effect on obestatin and leptin levels. No significant differences in hormonal levels were observed between the groups depending on the diagnosis of GERD. However, correlations of ghrelin levels with the severity of esophagitis, leptin and ghrelin levels with the severity of GERD symptoms, and leptin levels with lower esophageal pH were found. GERD is more frequent among patients with OSA. In both GERD and OSA, deviations were observed in the levels of ghrelin and leptin. However, our analysis demonstrates that the relationship between OSA and GERD does not result from these disorders.

Effect of Low-Dose Aspirin on Chronic Acid Reflux Esophagitis in Rats

BACKGROUND

Clinical role of low-dose aspirin (LDA) in pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease is by far controversial. This can be attributed to the paucity of basic research detailing the mechanism of LDA-induced esophageal mucosal injury (EI) on underlying chronic acid reflux esophagitis (RE).

AIM

The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of LDA on chronic RE in rats.

METHODS

Esophagitis was induced in 8-week-old male Wistar rats by ligating the border between forestomach and glandular portion with a 2-0 silk tie and covering the duodenum with a small piece of 18-Fr Nélaton catheter. Seventy-eight chronic RE rat models were divided into five treatment groups, consisting of orally administered vehicle (controls), and aspirin doses of 2, 5, 50 or 100 mg/kg once daily for 28 days. EI was assessed by gross area of macroscopic mucosal injury, severity grade of esophagitis and microscopic depth of infiltration by inflammatory cells.

RESULTS

Area of esophagitis in animals with aspirin dose of 100 mg/kg/day showed a 36.5% increase compared with controls, although it failed to achieve statistical significance (p = 0.812). Additionally, the rate of severe EI was increased in animals with aspirin dose of 100 mg/kg/day as compared with controls (p < 0.05). The grade of severity correlated with the depth of inflammation (r _s = 0.492, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Maximal dose aspirin (100 mg/kg/day) contributed in exacerbating preexisting EI. LDA (2 and 5 mg/kg/day), on the other hand, did not affect chronic RE in this model. LDA seems to be safe for use in patients with chronic RE.

Р. LEU72MET MUTATION OF GHRELIN GHRL GENE IN CHILDREN WITH GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE

Gastroesophageal disease (GERD) is the one of most spread diseases that injures an esophagus. Taking into account the large number of factors that can cause GERD development already in child age, including genetic predisposition, it is necessary to analyze each of them in detail. Aim of this work was to analyze a frequency and possible association type of р. Leu72Met mutation of GHRL gene in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease. The analysis of clinical parameters and course of disease in the group of 100 schoolchildren with GERD was carried out. The molecular-genetic study of c.214C>A locus of GHRL gene by CPR method (rs696217) was carried out in patients with GERD and 40 healthy children from the control group. In 82% of children with GERD was revealed a GHRL 214СС (Leu/Leu) homozygous genotype, at 58% among children from the control group. GHRL 214СА (Leu/ Met) genotype was registered three times more seldom in children of the studied group comparing with ones from the control group: 15,0% and 42,5%, respectively. It was established, that GHRL 214CС genotype presence conditions the increase of GERD development risk in 3,4 times. On the contrary, GHRL 214CА genotype manifests a reliable protective effect that is essentially decreased GERD development risk in a child at such genotype – 0,24 comparing with a conventional unit. There was established alleles and genotypes distribution of c.214C>A (р.Leu72Met) locus of GHRL gene in children with GERD. GHRL 214CС genotype is associated with threefold increase of GERD risk development. Gender differences as to GERD development risk at different genotypes of ghrelin gene were established. At GHRL 214СС (Leu/Leu) genotype the relative GERD risk for boys increased in more than 6 times. There were not established any differences in alleles and genotypes distribution depending on erosive or surface inflammatory changes of a gastrointestinal tract mucosa.

Impact of obesity treatment on gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a frequently encountered disorder. Obesity is an important risk factor for GERD, and there are several pathophysiologic mechanisms linking the two conditions. For obese patients with GERD, much of the treatment effort is focused on weight loss and its consistent benefit to symptoms, while there is a relative lack of evidence regarding outcomes after novel or even standard medical therapy is offered to this population. Physicians are hesitant to recommend operative anti-reflux therapy to obese patients due to the potentially higher risks and decreased efficacy, and these patients instead are often considered for bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgical approaches are broadening, and each technique has emerging evidence regarding its effect on both the risk and outcome of GERD. Furthermore, combined anti-reflux and bariatric options are now being offered to obese patients with GERD. However, currently Roux-en-Y gastric bypass remains the most effective surgical treatment option in this population, due to its consistent benefits in both weight loss and GERD itself. This article aims to review the impact of both conservative and aggressive approaches of obesity treatment on GERD.