Open Access
Research (Published online: 21-12-2020)
18. A novel ex vivo porcine model of acid-induced esophageal damage for preliminary functional evaluations of anti-gastroesophageal reflux disease medical devices
Domenico Ventrella, Roberta Salaroli, Alberto Elmi, Giacomo Carnevali, Monica Forni, Fabio Baldi and Maria Laura Bacci
Veterinary World, 13(12): 2728-2735

Domenico Ventrella: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
Roberta Salaroli: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
Alberto Elmi: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
Giacomo Carnevali: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
Monica Forni: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
Fabio Baldi: Center for the Study of Diseases of the Esophagus, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; GVM Care and Research, Cotignola (RA), Italy.
Maria Laura Bacci: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2020.2728-2735

Share this article on [Facebook] [LinkedIn]

Article history: Received: 20-07-2020, Accepted: 04-11-2020, Published online: 21-12-2020

Corresponding author: Alberto Elmi

E-mail: alberto.elmi2@unibo.it

Citation: Ventrella D, Salaroli R, Elmi A, Carnevali G, Forni M, Baldi F, Bacci ML (2020) A novel ex vivo porcine model of acid-induced esophageal damage for preliminary functional evaluations of anti-gastroesophageal reflux disease medical devices, Veterinary World, 13(12): 2728-2735.
Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to set up a porcine ex vivo model of acid-induced damage and to evaluate its performance by means of multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH (MII-pH) live recording, histology, and Evans blue (EB) permeability assay.

Materials and Methods: Thirteen esophagi, collected at a slaughterhouse, were ablated of their sphincters, pinned upright on a support, and placed in a thermostatic hood at 37°C with two infusion tubes and an MII-pH probe inserted in the top end. Three esophagi (histology controls) were only left in the hood for 3.5 h before sampling, while the remaining organs underwent the experimental protocol including saline infusion and recovery recording, and acid solution infusion and recovery recording.

Results: MII-pH analysis highlighted a significantly stronger decrease during acid infusion when compared to saline, but a better post-infusion recovery for saline solution. At the end of the protocol, MII was still statistically lower than baseline. The acid-damaged esophagi significantly absorbed more EB dye, and histology revealed strong mucosal exfoliation.

Conclusion: The proposed model of esophageal acid damage seems to be repeatable, reliable, and achievable using organs collected at the slaughterhouse. MII recording proved to have good sensitivity in detecting mucosal alterations also in ex vivo trials.

Keywords: esophagus ex vivo model, Evans blue permeability assay, gastroesophageal reflux disease, multichannel intraluminal impedance, pig.