Acid reduction by intragastric contact Nd:YAG laser photoradiation in rats

Gastric acid reduction in the treatment of duodenal ulcers occurs following extragastric vagotomy, antrectomy, or seromyotomy. This study examines the effects of intraluminal LCV and/or pyloric MA using laser photoradiation in Sprague-Dawley rats. Groups were compared to sham-operation and truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty (TVP) regarding gastric acid secretion, plasma gastrin, pancreatic polypeptide, and histology, including immunocytochemistry for G-cells. All operative procedures reduced acid output (P less than 0.001) both immediately and at 8 weeks, with LCV being more effective than TVP or MA. Moreover, LCV with MA was no more beneficial than LCV alone. Plasma gastrin increased slightly following TVP but not following the LCV group in the acute study, and no difference was seen in the chronic group. Histologically, the depth of laser penetration was optimum with no perforations. Although the G-cells were destroyed following the laser photoradiation, they reappeared in lesser numbers at 8 weeks. Laser photoradiation of the intramural nerve plexuses on the lesser curve of the stomach by intragastric mucosal myotomy is effective in reducing gastric acid and may have a clinical and therapeutic role with flexible fiberoptic gastroscopy.