Abstract
Background: The negative impact of a high-fat diet on the course of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been previously reported. Free fatty acid receptors (FFARs) may be mediators of this phenomenon. The aim of this study was to characterize the role of FFARs in the course of nonerosive (NERD) and erosive (ERD) reflux disease. Methods: Collectively, 73 patients (62 with GERD and 11 healthy controls (HCs)) were recruited to the study. Esophageal biopsies were drawn from the lower third of the esophagus and kept for further experiments. Quantitative, real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to assess the expression of FFAR1, FFAR2, FFAR3, and FFAR4 in biopsies. Histological evaluation of dilated intracellular spaces (DISs) was also performed. Results: FFAR3 exhibited the highest expression, and FFAR4 exhibited the lowest expression in all esophageal samples. Higher relative expression of FFAR1 and FFAR2 and significantly higher expression of FFAR3 (p = 0.04) was noted in patients with GERD compared to respective HCs. Patients with nonerosive GERD (NERD) presented higher expression of all FFARs compared to patients with erosive GERD (ERD) and respective HCs. Interestingly, in patients with ERD, the expression of FFAR3 was lower than in HCs. Significant, weak, positive correlation was found for FFAR3 and FFAR4 expression and DIS scores (r = 0.36, p < 0.05 for FFAR 3, and r = 0.39, p < 0.05 for FFAR4). Conclusions: In this study, we show that FFARs may play a role in GERD pathogenesis, particularly in the NERD type. It may be assumed that FFARs, in particular FFAR3 and FFAR4, may have diagnostic and therapeutic potential in GERD.
Highlights
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), known as acid reflux, is a chronic disorder of the digestive tract characterized by a wide range of symptoms depending on the severity of the condition
The mRNA Expression of FFAR1, FFAR2, and FFAR3 was Increased in Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Compared to healthy controls (HCs)
The median relative expression of FFAR1, FFAR2, and FFAR3 was higher in esophageal biopsies obtained from patients with GERD than in respective HCs; statistical significance was reached only for FFAR3 (979 (203–1705) vs. 543 (210–2780) for FFAR1, 552 (76–2205) vs. 337 (141–1361) for FFAR2, 1030 (161–2732) vs. 197 (28–435) for FFAR3 (p < 0.05)) (Figure 1)
Summary
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), known as acid reflux, is a chronic disorder of the digestive tract characterized by a wide range of symptoms depending on the severity of the condition. Many studies pointed out a growing number of GERD cases in Asia [2,3]. It was shown [4] that GERD severely impairs patients’ quality of life. The pathophysiology of the disease, above all, includes low resting pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The negative impact of a high-fat diet on the course of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been previously reported. The aim of this study was to characterize the role of FFARs in the course of nonerosive (NERD) and erosive (ERD) reflux disease. It may be assumed that FFARs, in particular FFAR3 and FFAR4, may have diagnostic and therapeutic potential in GERD
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
