Trimetazidine reduces the degree of fibrosis in alkali burns of the esophagus.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of trimetazidine (TMZ), an antioxidant agent, on the prevention of stricture development after esophageal caustic injuries in rat.

Methods: Thirty rats were divided into 3 equal groups. A standard esophageal caustic burn was produced by application of 37.5% NaOH for a period of 90 seconds followed by water rinse. Group A (sham) animals were uninjured. Group B rats were injured but untreated. Group C rats were injured and received TMZ (5 mg/kg/d) via intraperitoneal route. Efficacy of the treatment was assessed in 28 days by measuring stenosis index and histopathologic damage score and by determining tissue hydroxyproline content.

Results: The stenosis index in the TMZ-treated group was significantly lower than the untreated group, similarly in the sham laparotomy group (stenosis index: 0.34 +/- 0.10, 0.94 +/- 0.21, 0.38 +/- 0.05, respectively; P < .05). The hydroxyproline level (microgram per milligram of wet tissue) was significantly lower in the TMZ-treated group compared with untreated group, similarly in the sham laparotomy group (1.06 +/- 0.14, 1.33 +/- 0.08, 0.68 +/- 0.15 microg/mg wet tissue, respectively; P < .05). In the untreated group, histopathologic damage score was significantly higher than TMZ-treated group (P < .05).

Conclusions: Trimetazidine reduces the degree of fibrosis and ameliorates histopathologic damage in experimental model of corrosive esophagitis in rats.