Gastric Reflux may be Treated by Muscle Cell Infusion

Muscle cells grown in the lab have been found effective in restoring an intestine's ability to squeeze shut properly, a research team led by Indian-origin scientist has revealed.

The work conducted using animal models might ultimately help treat patients with conditions such as gastric reflux and fecal incontinence.

Reflux Esophagitis- Overview
Reflux esophagitis is a condition causing inflammation of the lining of the esophagus. This happens when there is a upward movement of the acid from the stomach due to weakness of the esophageal sphincter.

The technique can be used to strengthen sphincters, which are the bands of muscle that separate the major sections of your intestinal tract.

"This represents a very logical and new direction for treatment of such conditions," said Dr Stanford professor of medicine Pankaj Pasricha, lead author of the study in the December 2009 issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

"After injecting muscle cells in that area of weakness, those muscle cells thrive and get integrated into the existing tissues, and then add to the strength of the sphincter," he added.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
This condition occurs due to the reflux of hydrochloric acid of the stomach into the oesophagus

While most reflux and some fecal incontinence patients benefit from diet and lifestyle changes and daily medications, surgery may be the only option for patients who have persistent symptoms even after medical treatments.

It includes altering sphincter structure or injecting bulking agents to make the opening of the sphincter smaller. These invasive surgeries involve heavy sedation and days of recovery.

Scientists Find Reflux Esophagitis Caused Due to Immune Reaction
UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found in an animal study that GERD might not develop as a direct result of acidic digestive juices burning the esophagus.

The new procedure developed by Cook MyoSite Inc, "theoretically would take about 10 minutes to do, it would be an outpatient procedure, minimal sedation and the patient could go home in about an hour," Pasricha added.

A similar procedure is successfully improving bladder sphincter function in human trials of patients with urinary incontinence.

New Reflux Guidelines Released
New, updated guidelines for esophageal reflux testing appear in The American Journal of Gastroenterology.

The study appears in journal Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Source-ANI
RAS