| Budget Amount *help |
¥2,070,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000)
Fiscal Year 2007: ¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000)
Fiscal Year 2006: ¥900,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000)
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| Research Abstract |
In this research, we investigated mechanisms of typical symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux diseases (GERD), especially in reference with contraction of esophageal muscle. We further utilized the results to diagnosis and treatment of this condition, and in addition performed animal experiments for exploring mechanisms of symptom generation.
1. We studied esophageal muscle contraction (thickening) during acid perfusion in the esophagus by real-timed ultrasonography images in patients with GERD and healthy volunteers. The thickening of the muscle during recognition of GERD symptoms could not be observed in both groups unfortunately. However, we found baseline muscle thickness was significantly increased in GERD patients. Utilizing this result, we performed prospective operator blinded study, which showed measurement of esophageal muscle thickness by extracorporeal ultrasonography could possibly be utilized as novel diagnostic tool for GERD.
2. In animal experiments for mechanisms of abdominal symptom generation, we identified transduction route of acute pain (balloon distension in rat stomach) to the CNS and relevant neuro-mediator (erkl/2). In addition, using the rat esophageal model, we proposed decrement of voluntary movement could be a marker of rat visceral symptoms, which was discussed in relation with expression of tight junction proteins, pain-related neuron-mediators and their receptors, and dilated intercellular spaces.
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