The role of dexpanthenol and a RHO-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 treatment in wound healing in an experimental chemical esophageal burn model

Esophageal strictures that develop as a result of scar formation during healing of esophageal injury which is caused by ingestion of acid or alkaline caustic substances are common during childhood. Esophageal stricture generally develops 3 weeks after the initial caustic injury and may lead to nutritional deficiency. The esophageal strictures are chronic problems, and usually do not respond to the therapeutic interventions. Recent medical treatment protocols to prevent esophageal stricture formation are not successful. In this study, the effects of dexpanthenol and Y-27632 on esophageal stricture formation after chemical esophageal burns in rats were investigated.The study was performed on Wistar-albino rats. Two canulas, the first through the mouth and the second through the stomach, were introduced into a 2 cm long abdominal segment of the esophagus. The distal esophageal lumen was exposed to 50% NaOH for 90 seconds using the first canula which was inserted through mouth. The caustic agent was drained by the second canula. Sixty rats were divided into 6 equal groups. Medical treatment was commenced on the first day of the injury and continued for 21 days. In Group 1 (Sham) only the canulas were introduced into the esophageal lumen and no treatment was given. Group 2 (controls) caustic injury was done as described above and intraperitoneal (IP) 0,9% NaCl was administered daily for 21 days. In Group 3 and 4, the rats were treated with 50 mg/kg/day and 500 mg/kg/day IP dexpanthenol, respectively. In Group 5 and 6, the animals were treated with 0,3 mg/kg/day and 3 mg/kg/day IP Y-27632, respectively. The rats were killed on the 22nd day of the experiment and distal esophageal segment was obtained from each animal for examination of esophageal stenosis index (SI) and collagen deposition histopathologically, and for the measurment of tissue malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and hidroxypyroline levels biochemically.Esophageal histology was normal in Group 1 while severe stricture formation was observed in all animals in Group 2. SI and collagen deposition were significantly higher in Group 2 when compared to Group 1. When compared to Group 2, SI and collagen depositon were significantly lower in Group 3, 4, 5 and 6, respectively. MDA and hydroxypyroline levels were significantly higher in Group 2 when compared to Group 1, and significantly lower in comparision with Group 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively, when compared to Group 2.This experimental study showed that dexapanthenol and Y-27632 treatment protocols reduced the esophageal stricture formation in rats following alkaline esophageal burn.