Résumé
Cyclo-oxygenase II [COX II] is an inducible enzyme. Its expression is increased during states of inflammation or carcinogenesis. THE AIM of this study was to demonstrate the expression of COX-Il protein in cases of reflux oesophagitis and compare it with normal oesophageal mucosa, Thirty two patients with GORD, and ten controls had an upper gastrointestinal endosopy. Mucosal biopsies were taken from lower oesophagus, and examined histologically for evidence and grading of GORD. COX II expression was evaluated using immunohistochemical staining of the mucosal biopsies. The results Showed a highly significant statistical difference between patients and control subjects in both endoscopic and histopathological findings [P < 0.01], and there was a positive correlation between both procedures [P < 0.001]. There was also highly significant statistical difference between patients and controls as regards all parameters of COX-II expression [P < 0.01]. COX II excpression was positively correlated with the degree of oesophagitis according to the degree of histopathological inflammation [P < 0.001] History of smoking was also associated with higher expression of COX II in all subjects examined [P < 0.01].The of this study showed that there is increased expression of COX II enzyme protein in oesophageal mucosa in cases of oesophagitis and that this might suggest the possibility of a causal relation. It also showed the increased expression in smokers, whether this proves to be of significance still awaits further studies