Establishment and assessment of achalasia rabbit animal model method

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of establishing achalasia rabbit animal model by injection benzyl-dimethyl tetradecyl ammonium chloride (BAC) into the Lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Methods The study was performed on 30 rabbits. Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) of the rabbit was exposed, and BAC was injected circumferentially into the LES in 15 rabbits and saline injection in 15 rabbits as control. Eight weeks after injection, food intake and weight of the rabbits of the two grouups was evaluated. Then esophageal manometry and barium test were performed to assess the LES pressure, esophageal peristalsis and esophageal barium retention rate. Lastly, expression of Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in LES were compared between the two groups by immunohistochemistry. Results After 8 weeks, food intake [(613.0±23.7) g vs. (281.0±19.4) g, t=3.047, P=0.027] and weight of the model group were significantly reduced [(2 045±310) g vs. (1 461±267) g, t=2.375, P=0.034] compared with the control. The results of esophageal manometry indicated that LES pressure was significantly increased [(13.60±2.10) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) vs. (19.47±2.70) mmHg, t=6.646, P=0.000] and esophageal peristalsis was obviously reduced [(15.13±1.96) times vs. (2.87±1.51) times, t=19.291, P=0.000] in the model group. In esophageal barium examination, rabbits in model group demonstrated obviously barium retention and typicalbird’s beaksign. Lastly, the expression of NOS in control group was obvious, while in model group, it was rare. Conclusion Circumferentially injected BAC into the LES could successfully establish achalasia rabbit animal model. Key words: Lower esophageal sphincter; Model, animal; Achalasia