Objectives/Hypothesis: The objectives of this study were to evaluate laryngeal inflammation and mucosal integrity in a murine model of reflux disease and to assess the protective effects of topical agents including alginate, hyaluronic acid, and cashew gum. Study Design: Animal study. Methods: A surgical murine model of reflux disease was evaluated at 3 or 7 days postsurgery, and laryngeal samples were collected to measure inflammation (wet weight and myeloperoxidase [MPO]) and mucosal integrity (transepithelial resistance [TER] and mucosal permeability to fluorescein). Additional groups of animals were administered one of several topical agents (alginate, hyaluronic acid, or cashew gum) daily, and laryngeal inflammation and mucosal integrity were evaluated at 3 days postsurgery. Results: At 3 days, and not 7 days postsurgery, we observed increased laryngeal wet weight and MPO, decreased laryngeal TER, and increased laryngeal mucosa permeability. Alginate partially decreased laryngeal inflammation (wet weight and not MPO) and dramatically improved laryngeal mucosal integrity. Conversely, hyaluronic acid eliminated the inflammation; however, it had no effect on laryngeal mucosal integrity impairment. Cashew gum eliminated laryngeal inflammation as well as the impairment in laryngeal mucosal integrity. Conclusions: This study shows that a surgical model of reflux disease induced laryngeal inflammation and impairment in laryngeal barrier function. These observed alterations were partially attenuated by alginate and hyaluronic acid and completely reversed by cashew gum.

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Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo protective effect of the angico gum biopolymer in reducing the inflammatory response and preserving the integrity of the laryngeal and esophageal mucosa.Study Design: Animal study. Methods: A murine surgical model of gastroesophageal reflux disease was accomplished and subsequently treated with angico gum or omeprazole. On days 3 and 7 post surgery, samples of the larynx and esophagus, respectively, were collected to measure the level of inflammation (wet weight and myeloperoxidase activity) and mucosal integrity (transepithelial electrical resistance and mucosal permeability to fluorescein).Results: Angico gum and omeprazole decreased laryngeal inflammation (wet weight and myeloperoxidase activity) and dramatically improved the integrity of the laryngeal mucosa. It also reduced inflammation (decreased wet weight and myeloperoxidase activity) of the esophagus and preserved the barrier function (inferred by assessing the integrity of the mucosa).Conclusion: This study demonstrates the protective effect of angico gum in an experimental gastroesophageal reflux disease model. Angico gum attenuates inflammation and impairment of the mucosal barrier function not only in the larynx but also in the esophagus.