The Effects of Esophageal Acidification on Esophageal Reflexes Controlling the Upper Esophageal Sphincter.

The Effects of Esophageal Acidification on Esophageal Reflexes Controlling the Upper Esophageal Sphincter. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2018 Oct 11;: Authors: Lang IM, Medda BK, Shaker R Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the effects of esophageal acid exposure on esophago-UES relaxation (EURR) and contractile (EUCR) reflexes. Cats, decerebrate (N=27) or chronic (N=4), were implanted with EMG electrodes on pharynx, larynx and esophagus. The esophagus was infused with either NaCl (0.9%) or HCl (0.1 N). The EUCR was activated by balloon distension in acute cats and slow air injection in chronic cats, and the EURR was activated by rapid air injection in both sets of cats. We found that NaCl infused for 15 or 30 minutes had no effect on EUCR or EURR in acute cats. HCl infused for 15, 30 or 45 minutes significantly (P<0.05) decreased the sensitivity to activate EUCR. HCl infused for 15 minutes significantly (P<0.05) increased and for 45 minutes significantly (P<0.05) decreased sensitivity to activate EURR. In chronic cats, HCl infused for 15 minutes/day increased sensitivity to activate EURR and decreased (P<0.05) sensitivity to activate EUCR after 4 days of infusion. EURR occurred spontaneously during HCl infusions on the third and fourth (P < 0.05) days of HCl infusion. We conclude that esophageal acid exposure initially sensitizes the esophagus to activation of EURR and desensitizes to activation...
Source: Am J Physiol Gastroi... - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Tags: Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol Source Type: research