Short exposure of oesophageal mucosa to bile acids, both in acidic and weakly acidic conditions, can impair mucosal integrity and provoke dilated intercellular spaces

Abstract

Experimental short exposure of the oesophageal mucosa to solutions with a bile acid concentration and acidity similar to that observed in the gastric contents of patients with NERD or ERD, and who are taking PPIs, may impair oesophageal mucosal integrity and even induce dilated intercellular spaces. Such a situation could, theoretically, underlie the occurrence and/or persistence of symptoms in these patients.