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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 21, 2013; 19(39): 6523-6528
Published online Oct 21, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i39.6523
Published online Oct 21, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i39.6523
Gastroesophageal reflux disease: Update on inflammation and symptom perception
Annamaria Altomare, Michele Pier Luca Guarino, Silvia Cocca, Sara Emerenziani, Michele Cicala, Unit of Digestive Disease, Campus Bio Medico University of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
Author contributions: All the authors contributed equally to the manuscript; drafting the article and revising it critically for important intellectual content; All the authors approved the final version for publication.
Correspondence to: Michele Cicala, MD, PhD, Unit of Digestive Disease, Campus Bio Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 200, 00128 Rome, Italy. m.cicala@unicampus.it
Telephone: +39-6-22541560 Fax: +39-6-22541520
Received: June 20, 2013
Revised: July 24, 2013
Accepted: August 20, 2013
Published online: October 21, 2013
Processing time: 140 Days and 16 Hours
Revised: July 24, 2013
Accepted: August 20, 2013
Published online: October 21, 2013
Processing time: 140 Days and 16 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: The present study aimed to explore the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and complications, which remain to be fully elucidated. Despite recent evidence confirming the important production of inflammatory mediators and neurotransmitters in the pathogenesis of GERD, the interplay between esophageal inflammation and hypersensitivity is not clear. Based on the literature and on personal experimental studies, this paper attempts to summarize the evidence concerning the inflammatory pathway involved in GERD pathogenesis, to better define the possible distinction between erosive and non-erosive reflux disease patients and to provide new therapeutic approaches.