The Effect of Acidity on the Electrical Barrier of Trachea

ObjectiveGastric acid can affect the laryngopharyngeal mucous membranes recognized as laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD). The aim of this study is to 1) Evaluate the electrical barrier function induced by acid by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) of tracheal epithelial cells. 2) Determine the effect of proton pump inhibiter (PPI) on TER.MethodTracheal epithelial cells were harvested from the trachea excised from a guinea pig (n = 20). Measurement of TER was performed after application of acid, PPI, and ion channel blockers in vitro. TER was measured with an epithelial voltameter (EVOM, WPI, Sarasota, USA) equipped with STX‐2 “chopstick” electrodes.ResultsAfter the apical administration of hydrochloric acid at a variety of pH values, TER of the epithelial cells decreased, and the electrical barrier was significantly down regulated from pH3. In the groups of cells cultured with a PPI, Lansoprazol (10‐50 µM), there was no significant variation in TER of the epithelial cells, regardless of the variations in acidity. There was an additive increase in TER values along with the addition of 100 µM of the channel blockers DPC and amiloride.ConclusionThe electrical barrier of the trachea was significantly down regulated by acid from pH3 and PPI might recover the down regulation via sodium and chloride channels.