Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of aluminum phosphate gel and Kangfuxin on esophageal pathology and expressions
of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in rats with reflux esophagitis and explore the possible mechanisms.
Method Sixty SD rats were randomized into aluminum phosphate gel group (n=10), Kangfuxin group (n=10), aluminum
phosphate gel+Kangfuxin group (n=10), model group (n=20), and control group (n=10). Except for those in the control group,
all the rats were subjected to infusion of diluted lysolecithin with hydrochloric acid in the esophagus for 14 days. Ten rats in
the model group and those in the control group were sacrificed to examine the pathological changes and contents of IL-8 and
PGE2 in the esophagus using optical and electron microscopes and radioimmunoassay. The next day the rest rats were given
corresponding treatments (saline in model group) administered into the esophagus on a daily basis for 14 days, after which
esophageal pathologies and IL-8 and PGE2 contents were examined. Results The model rats showed obvious esophageal
pathologies including inflammatory cell infiltration, vacuolar degeneration of the epithelial cells, esophageal erosion and even
ulceration, with severe detachment of the epithelial cells. The rats in all the intervention groups showed lessened esophageal
pathologies and lowered esophageal IL-8 and PGE2 contents compared with those in the model group. Esophageal mucosal
injury index and IL-8 and PGE2 contents were all significantly lower in rats receiving combined treatment with aluminum
phosphate and Kangfuxin than in those receiving either of the treatments (P<0.05). Conclusion Both Kangfuxin and aluminum
phosphate gel are effective in the treatment for reflux esophagitis induced by lysolecithin and hydrochloric acid, and their
therapeutic effects are achieved possibly by reducing IL-8 and PGE2 levels in the esophagus.