The protective and anti-inflammatory effect of methylene blue in corrosive esophageal burns: An experimental study
Tannkulu, Ceren En and Tanrikulu, Yusuf and Kilinc, Fahriye and Bahadir,
Burak and Can, Murat and Kokturk, Furuzan and Kefeli, Ayse
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: In developing countries, esophageal burns are quite common.
They are caused by the ingestion of corrosive substances that may lead
to esophageal perforation in the short-term and stricture formation in
the long-term. Prevention of stricture progression in the esophagus is
the main aim of the treatment for corrosive esophageal burns. We aimed
to investigate the protective and anti-inflammatory effects of methylene
blue (MB) treatment on corrosive esophageal burns.
METHODS: Twenty-eighht rats were used in the study and randomly divided
into four equal groups; group 1 (Sham), group 2 (control), group 3
(topical treatment), and group 4 (topical plus systemic treatment).
Except for group 1 (Sham group), all three groups received sodium
hydroxide (NaOH) in order to generate esophageal burns. In addition,
group 2 was given normal saline, group 3 topical MB, and group 4 topical
and systemic MB.
RESULTS: Hydroxyproline levels were found to be lower in each of the
treatment groups as compared to the control group (p=0.005 for group 3
and p=0.009 for group 4). There were no differences in the tumor
necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels between the groups. The
stenosis index (SI) in the treatment groups was also lower than the
control group (p=0.016 for group 3 and p=0.015 group 4). The
histopathologic damage score (HDS) was prominently lower in group 4 as
compared to the control group (p=0.05).
CONCLUSION: MB is effective in treating tissue damage caused by
corrosive esophageal burns and in preventing esophageal stenosis.
Complication rates of corrosive esophageal burns may be decreased by
using MB in the initial treatment stage.... Show more Show less