Comparison of chitosan effectiviness with epidermal growth factor (EGF) in prevention of stenosis related to esophageal burn

Aim : The aim of this study is to research effects of chitosan to wound healing and formation of stenosis on comparative basis in esophageal burn rat model.Material and Method: Total 7 study group that consists of five treatment group plus control and sham groups with 67 Wistar Albino type rats are created. No treatment has been applied after formation of burn in all groups except sham group. Chitosan gel has been administered during 14 days to K-14 group; during 28 days to K-28 group; subcutaneous EGF in addition to chitosan has been administered to K+E-28 and only EGF has been administered to E-28 group. Stenosis formation has been macroscopically examined, stenosis index (SI) and histopathological score have been histopathologically examined and hydroxyproline (HP) levels have been biochemically examined.Results: It has been found that mean body weight loss is less than control group in the groups that treatment has been applied. The rate of stenosis is 100% in control group but 20% in K-14, 50% in K-28, and 20% in E+K-14. No stenosis has been observed in Sham E-28 and K+E-28 groups. It has been found that the values of stenosis index of groups are matched with the rates of stenosis. Mean histopathological scores and HP levels of groups used chitosan were apparently lower than control group (p<0.05). Other parameters of E-28 groups except HP levels are not different from sham group (p>0.05).Conclusion: The conclusion of this study is that chitosan and EGF can prevent development of stenosis of esophagus occurred after alkali esophagus burn and effectiveness of EFG is relatively more than chitosan. It is thought that it is valuable to examine different forms, dose and application times of chitosan and effectiveness of it in this subject since it is easy to apply in clinical practice because of this features.Key Words: Chitosan, EGF, Esophageal Burn, Fibrosis, Stenosis