Experimental pulmonary fibrosis in rats with chronic gastric acid reflux esophagitis. Issue 5 (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shimazu, Rintaro; Aoki, Shigehisa; Kuratomi, Yuichiro
• Is Part Of: Auris nasus larynx. Volume 42:Issue 5(2015)
• Page Start: 382
• Page End: 384
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) -- Pulmonary fibrosis -- Aspiration pneumonia -- Pharynx -- Larynx; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2015.03.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0385-8146

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To elucidate the association between gastric acid reflux and respiratory diseases by studying the histological changes of the lower airway in rats with chronic acid reflux esophagitis. Methods: An experimental rat model of chronic acid reflux esophagitis was surgically created. The lower airways of these rats were histologically observed for more than 50 weeks. Results: Although there were no histological changes which induced gastric acid reflux at 10 weeks after surgery, thickening of the basal laminae and the proliferation of the collagenous fibers were observed in the alveolar epithelium at 20 weeks after surgery. At 50 weeks after surgery, the collagenous fibers obliterated the pulmonary alveoli and bronchial lumen. These findings observed in the GERD rats are similar to the pathological findings of human pulmonary fibrosis. Conclusion: In this study, we reported pathological changes in the lower airways of GERD rat models observed for more than 50 weeks. These results suggest that gastric acid reflux may be one of the pathogenic or exacerbating factors of pulmonary fibrosis.