D-002 Ameliorates Histological Changes in Rats with Bile Reflux-Induced Esophagitis

Abstract

Reflux esophagitis, a common gastrointestinal disease, may be induced by duodeno gastroesophageal-reflux, and by duodeno-esophageal reflux (DER), the reflux of the biliary content only. D-002, a mixture of six higher primary alcohols purified from the beeswax, has exhibited gastric and esophageal protection experimentally. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of D-002 on the esophageal histological changes in rats with DER-induced esophagitis. Rats were randomized into six groups: a negative control and five with DER: a positive control, three D-002- (50, 200 and 400mg/kg, respectively) and one omeprazole (20 mg/kg) group, treated for 14 days. Microscopic studies of esophagus were performed looking for reflux esophagitis indicators, such as basal cell hyperproliferation, papillae elongation, inflammatory cell infiltrates, epithelial erosions and ulcerations. The thickness of esophageal epithelium was measured and leukocytes were counted. Histological characteristics of esophagitis were evaluated. Negative controls had normal esophagus, while positive controls exhibited marked esophagitis. The values of the histological score, thickness of the esophageal epithelium and leukocyte infiltration in the positive control group were higher (p <0.001) than in the negative control. D-002 (50 - 400 mg/kg) reduced significantly (p <0.01) the histological scores versus the positive control group. D-002 lowered significantly the epithelium thickness and abolished (p <0.001) leukocytes infiltration versus the positive control. Compared with the positive control, omeprazole reduced (p <0.01) the histological score, the epithelium thickness and leukocytes infiltration. Repeated doses of D-002 ameliorated the histological changes in rats with DER-induced esophagitis.