Caustic esophageal injury decreases the number of interstitial cells of Cajal in the rat esophagus

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effect of caustic esophageal injury (CEI) on the number of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) Materials and methods: Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups. control, acid, and alkali induced CEI CEI was performed by the injection of 1 mL of 10% hypochloric acid in the acid group, and 1 mL of 10% sodium hydroxide was injected into the alkali group. Distal esophageal segments were removed 24 h after injection CEI was graded and the number of ICC were investigated (CD-117 staining) The number of ICC was compared in groups and correlated with CEI grades Results: Typical histopathologic features of CEI were encountered in acid (mean grade 0 25 +/- 0.15), and in alkali (median 2, range. 1 25-3) groups The number of ICC was decreased in both the acid (mean 12 8 +/- 9.2) and alkali (median 2, range 0.0-4 0) groups with respect to the control group (mean 30 5 +/- 6 5) (P < 0 05) In addition, alkali group had a decreased number of ICC, when compared to the acid group (P < 0 05) Histopathologic grading showed an inverse correlation with number of ICC in both the acid (rs: 0 678) and alkali (rs 0.759) groups Conclusion: CEI decreases the number of ICC in the rat esophagus. Alkali caustics cause a higher grade of esophageal injury and a greater decrease in the number of ICC Motility disorders after caustic ingestion may be related to the decreased number of ICC