Establishment and research of a New Zealand rabbit model of laryngopharyngeal reflux / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To establish a New Zealand rabbit animal model of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) using esophageal balloon together with metal internal stent dilation and to investigate the changes of mucosa.@*Methods@#20 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into experimental group and control group, with 10 in each group. Balloon dilatation and metal internal stent dilation were carried out in experimental group to reproduce the animal model of LPRD.The middle of balloon was placed at the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) while the stent was placed at the upper esophageal sphincter (UES). The guide wire was placed in the control group, but the balloon was not expanded and the stent was not placed. The general condition, pH value of hypopharynx, laryngeal histopathology and changes of pepsin content of New Zealand rabbits were observed regularly. The difference between experimental group and control group was compared.@*Results@#The 24-hour Dx-pH monitoring results showed that the number of reflux episodes(20.0[9.5, 35.0], 13.0[6.5, 22.0]), and the percent time below pH 5.5 (1.36%[0.60%, 4.57%], 1.36%[0.43%, 2.77%]) in the experimental group at the 2nd and 4th week were significantly different from those in the control group (0[0,3.0], 1.0[0.5, 3.8]; 0[0, 0.01%], 0[0, 0], respectively, all P<0.01), suggesting that the experimental group New Zealand rabbits developed LPRD. Compared with the control group under microscope, lymphocytes infiltration and submucosal gland hyperplasia increased in the mucosa of the throat of the experimental group. The results of pepsin immunohistochemical staining between the two groups were statistically significant (P=0.014).@*Conclusion@#The use of balloon dilatation of the LES combined with metal stent dilatation of the UES can successfully establish a laryngopharyngeal reflux model, and lesions in the throat tissue can be observed.