Modulatory effect of esophageal intraluminal mechanical and chemical stressors on salivary prostaglandin E2 in humans.

As has been demonstrated, infusion of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and pepsin into the human esophageal lumen, which mimics the natural gastroesophageal reflux, results in a significant increase in salivary volume, salivary bicarbonate and epidermal growth factor. However, the impact of intraluminal acid/pepsin solution on salivary prostaglandin E2 (sPGE2), the major protective factor of the upper alimentary tract, has never been explored. Therefore, using the newly developed esophageal perfusion model, the impact of both mechanical and chemical stimuli of the esophagus on sPGE2 secretion in humans was studied.

The effect of esophageal mechanical and chemical stimuli on salivary mucin secretion in healthy individuals.

Because of a newly developed model of esophageal perfusion in humans, the authors could study the role of esophago-salivary reflex in salivary neutral and acidic mucin output. The basal rate of neutral mucin output was 0.24 +/- 0.

Interrelationship between esophageal challenge with mechanical and chemical stimuli and salivary protective mechanisms.

Using our newly developed model of esophageal perfusion in humans, we were able to study the esophagosalivary reflex in 20 healthy volunteers (12M, 8F; mean age 40 yr). The placement of the intraesophageal catheter resulted in a 6.3-fold increase in the salivation rate over the baseline value (2.

Effect of esophageal intraluminal mechanical and chemical stressors on salivary epidermal growth factor in humans.

Although various animal and clinical studies have demonstrated the significant effect of salivary epidermal growth factor (sEGF) on esophageal morphology and function, its secretory patterns still remain inadequately explored. Therefore, we have studied the impact of esophageal mechanical and chemical stimuli on sEGF in humans. sEGF was measured in saliva collected during basal conditions, chewing of parafilm, placement of esophageal tubing, inflation of intraesophageal balloons, and perfusion with NaCl, HCl, and HCl/pepsin solutions.

Evidence on secretion of epidermal growth factor by the esophageal mucosa in humans.

Luminal release of esophageal epidermal growth factor (EGF) into the perfusing solutions (saline, HCl, and HCl/pepsin), aspirated with the newly developed esophageal perfusion catheter, was measured in 20 healthy volunteers (12 male, 8 female; mean age 40 yr; range 30-56 yr). A potential salivary contamination was excluded by a complete seal (with two balloons) of perfused esophageal segment and by a simultaneous, carefully monitored, collection of saliva. The concentration of EGF in each of 16 fully recovered 2-min perfusion samples was measured by RIA kit (Amersham, IL).

Human stored blood inositol phospholipids.

The total amount of phospholipids of the stored blood erythrocytes does not change during the first week of storage. After the second and the third week of storage the changes are only insignificant. During the fourth week this amount decreases by 25%.

Phospholipid composition of plasma and erythrocytes in the neonate.

The total phospholipids and their various classes in erythrocytes and blood plasma were determined quantitatively by means of two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography. The total amount of phospholipids in neonate plasma was approximately half of that found in adult plasma, however, the amount of phospholipids in erythrocytes of the neonate was significantly higher. The differences were observed in some classes of phospholipids in the plasma and erythrocytes of neonates as well as adult human beings.