Effects of Central Obesity on Esophageal Epithelial Barrier Function

• Published in: The American journal of gastroenterology Vol. 116; no. 7; pp. 1537 - 1541
• Main Authors: Gibbens, Ying Y., Lansing, Ramona, Johnson, Michele L., Blevins, Christopher H., Katzka, David A., Iyer, Prasad G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wolters Kluwer 01.07.2021; Wolters Kluwer Health Medical Research, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
• Subjects: Acids; Adult; Aged; Cancer; Cytokines; Desmosomes - ultrastructure; Disease; Endoscopy; Esophageal Mucosa - metabolism; Esophageal Mucosa - pathology; Esophageal Mucosa - ultrastructure; Esophagus; Extracellular Space; Female; Gastroenterology; Gastroesophageal reflux; Gastroesophageal Reflux - complications; Gastroesophageal Reflux - metabolism; Gastroesophageal Reflux - pathology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Obesity, Abdominal - complications; Obesity, Abdominal - metabolism; Obesity, Abdominal - pathology; Permeability; Regression analysis; Transmission electron microscopy
• ISSN: 0002-9270; 1572-0241; 1572-0241
• DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001196

We assessed if obesity perturbs the esophageal epithelial barrier function independent of promotion of gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Thirty-eight participants were divided into 4 groups: Obesity-/GER-, Obesity+/GER-, Obesity-/GER+, and Obesity+/GER+. Esophageal intercellular space and desmosome density (structural integrity) and fluorescein leak (functional integrity) were measured. The Obesity+/GER- group demonstrated increased intercellular space, reduced desmosome density, and increased fluorescein leak compared with control subjects. These changes were similar but not additive to findings seen in Obesity-/GER + and Obesity+/GER+ patients. Central obesity impairs structural and functional integrity of the esophageal barrier independent of GER, likely predisposing to esophageal injury.