Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between laryngeal expression of claudin-3 and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in a rat reflux model.
Methods: Eight Wistar rats were divided into two groups. Four rats underwent total esophageal myectomy to induce reflux, and the remainder underwent a sham operation as a control. All animals were sacrificed 12 weeks after surgery to perform tissue histology and Western blot analysis.
Results: Lymphocyte infiltration increased significantly in the study group in both esophageal and laryngeal samples (P=0.001, 0.002, respectively). Both esophageal and laryngeal expressions of claudin-3 were significantly lower in the study group when compared with that in the control group (P=0.045, 0.037, respectively).
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that a decrease in claudin-3 could be a sensitive indicator of reflux laryngitis in rats.
Keywords: Claudin-3; Gastroesophageal reflux disease; Laryngopharyngeal reflux.
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