Background/aims: Endoscopy-negative gastroesophageal reflux disease (ENRD), an incipient GERD phenotype without mucosal breaks, is a chronic relapsing condition with an impact on quality of life. Proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines play a role in the pathogenesis of various conditions including GERD.
Methodology: This study investigated the relationship between interleukin 8 (IL-8), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and presumably secreted (RANTES) and IL-1beta levels in esophageal mucosa and recurrence of the reflux symptom in 22 patients with ENRD.
Results: Based on analysis using Cox's proportional hazard regression model, significantly positive association was observed between the mucosal levels of cytokines (IL-8 and -1beta and RANTES) and ENRD recurrence. Otherwise, parameters including age, gender, body mass index, smoking habits, alcohol intake, hiatal hernia and Helicobacter pylori status were not significantly related to relapse of the symptom.
Conclusions: Enhanced production of such cytokines as IL-8 and -1beta and RANTES in esophageal mucosa can be potential predictors for ENRD recurrence.