Effects of exogenous ghrelin on experimental reflux esophagitis model in male rat

Abstract

Reflux esophagitis is a common gastrointestinal disorder that affects the quality of life in patients.Esophagitis is a chronic disease that leads to inflammation of the esophagus. Ghrelin is a 28-amino acid peptide that has several endocrine and metabolic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ghrelin on the esophagitis. Eighteen wistar rats were divided into three groups of six. Midline laparatomy was performed in the control group. In the gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and GERD+Ghrelin groups, esophagitis was induced by method of Omura. Rats in GERD+Ghrelin group received 4 i.p. injections of 25 ng/g body weight ghrelin. The amount of gastric acid secretion and esophageal blood flow were measured. Gastric acid in GERD+Ghrelin group increased significantly when compared to control and GERD groups. The epithelium thickness and papillae of lamina properia length in GERD group increased significantly compared to the control group. The difference in papillae of lamina properia length between GERD and GERD+Ghrelin was statistically significant. Esophageal blood flow in GERD+Ghrelin group increased significantly in comparison with GERD group. Treatment with ghrelin could reduce esophageal mucosal damage followed by chronic exposure of acid and other gastric contents.

Р. Leu72met Mutation of Ghrelin GHRL Gene in Children With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

“…The world experience of treatment testifies that GERD early diagnostics decreases a risk of complications development. [2,19] Extra-esophageal GERD manifestations [20−22], and revelation of typical esophageal symptoms only at 14−15 years old [23] conditions the necessity of searching new diagnostic possibilities. The presence of a genetic component in GERD development is proved by twin studies and provides multifactor etiology.…”

“…Identification of such genes and alleles is topical for both early diagnostics and prophylaxis of GERD and for the further explanation of their development mechanisms through the comprehensive study of pathophysiological processes of these genes expression products. The connection between ghrelin and allele polymorphisms of its genes with digestive system diseases is specially discussed [2,5].…”

“…The inhibition of stomach emptying is a risk factor of GERD development and is observed nearly in 10−40 % of patients (Festi and others, 2009) [1,2]. The regular irritation of an esophagus mucosa by gastric acid causes inflammatory changes and in some cases erosions or ulcers.…”

“…Ghrelin anti-inflammatory effects were also presented in the studies by Golestan and others, 2010; Nikoukar and others, 2014. Thus, ghrelin has a positive influence on an esophagus mucosa through anti-inflammatory mechanisms [2]. Ghrelin secretion increases under conditions of the negative energetic balance such as hunger, cachexy and anorexia, whereas its expression decreases under conditions of the positive energetic balance such as feeding, hyperglycemia and obesity [9].…”