Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026
Surgical Models of Gastroesophageal Reflux with Mice
Published on: August 25, 2015
Experimental pulmonary fibrosis in rats with chronic gastric acid reflux esophagitis
Rintaro Shimazu1, Shigehisa Aoki2, Yuichiro Kuratomi1
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga 849 8501, Japan.
Objective:
To elucidate the association between gastric acid reflux and respiratory diseases by studying the histological changes of the lower airway in rats with chronic acid reflux esophagitis.
Methods:
An experimental rat model of chronic acid reflux esophagitis was surgically created. The lower airways of these rats were histologically observed for more than 50 weeks.
Results:
Although there were no histological changes which induced gastric acid reflux at 10 weeks after surgery, thickening of the basal laminae and the proliferation of the collagenous fibers were observed in the alveolar epithelium at 20 weeks after surgery. At 50 weeks after surgery, the collagenous fibers obliterated the pulmonary alveoli and bronchial lumen. These findings observed in the GERD rats are similar to the pathological findings of human pulmonary fibrosis.
Conclusion:
In this study, we reported pathological changes in the lower airways of GERD rat models observed for more than 50 weeks. These results suggest that gastric acid reflux may be one of the pathogenic or exacerbating factors of pulmonary fibrosis.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease I: Meaning and Pathophysiology
01:29Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease II: Clinical Features and Management
Clinical Manifestations
GERD presents itself in a multitude of ways, with symptoms varying from person to person. The hallmark symptoms are...