[Treatment of caustic burns of the esophagus with interferon gamma. Comparison with epidermal growth factor. Experimental study in rats].

OBJECTIVES

Effects of sequential use of epidermal growth factor followed by interferon gamma on healing response after severe oesophageal corrosive burns has been demonstrated. This sequential treatment improves the inflammatory response of the initial phase and prevents residual stenosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of interferon gamma alone in the same condition.

METHODS

The study was performed in 5 groups (n = 15) of Wistar rats: control, placebo, epidermal growth factor alone, interferon gamma alone and epidermal growth factor for 5 days followed by interferon gamma from the 6th to 20th day. The last 4 groups had an oesophageal injury caused by a solution of 2.5 N NaOH. The efficacy of treatment was assessed on days 2, 5 and 20 on: weight gain, oesophageal internal lumen, stenosis index: wall thickness/lumen diameter, collagen production.

RESULTS

Interferon gamma significantly reduced residual stenosis frequency while it did not improves the initial healing process. A complete effect on the two healing phases was only observed in animals having the sequential treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

These results could lead to clinical trial in man to evaluate efficacy of sequential treatment with epidermal growth factor-interferon gamma in oesophageal corrosive burns.