Effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor to esophagus in a feline esophagitis model

The present study explores the effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor on esophageal motility in a feline model with esophagitis. Perfusion of the esophagus with acid produced inflammatory changes of esophageal mucosa. The esophageal motility was measured before and after the perfusion. One group of cats was given nitric oxide inhibitor orally at the same time as the perfusion of acid. The control group was given water instead. Esophagitis impairs the motility of the esophagus. However, the esophageal motility of the cats that were given nitric oxide synthase inhibitor decreased less than that of the control group. The results suggested that during esophagitis there is an alteration of the nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide pathway in the esophagus, which may be one of the important mechanisms of esophageal motility dysfunction.