Topical application of basic fibroblast growth factor reduces esophageal stricture and esophageal neural damage after sodium hydroxide-induced esophagitis in rats

Purpose To investigate the effect of topical application of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) after caustic esophageal injury in rats. Methods Thirty-six male rats were randomly divided into three groups. Corrosive esophageal injury was produced by internal application of 30% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution to the distal esophagus. Group A rats were uninjured. Group B rats were injured and untreated. Group C rats were injured and received topical bFGF (10 mu g/ml). Surviving rats were killed at 28 days. The survival rate, body weight gain, symptoms and histopathological changes that included tissue damage score, ratio of esophageal luminal area/total esophageal area (LA/TA) and the proportion of a neural marker PGP 9.5-positive area were assessed. Results The survival rate and the prevalence of symptoms were not significantly different between Groups B and C. Although the tissue damage score did not differ in Groups B and C, LA/TA was significantly higher in Group C than in Group B. The proportion of the PGP 9.5-positive area was significantly lower in Groups B and C than in Group A; however, it was higher in Group C than in Group B. Conclusion Topical application of bFGF was effective in preventing stricture after NaOH-induced esophagitis.