The Effect of Sucralfate Slurry on Dilated Intercellular Spaces, Tight Junctions, Mucosal Impedance and Mucosal Activity in Patients With Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a Th2 type allergy mediated disease that is characterized by dense esophageal eosinophilia in patients with chronic esophageal symptoms. One of the mechanisms of eosinophilic esophagitis is exposure of food antigens to antigen recognition cells in the esophageal mucosa that initiates a chronic allergy-based inflammatory response [1, 2]. It is believed that this exposure is facilitated through dilation of the intercellular spaces (DIS) between esophageal epithelial cells (termed spongiosis). This is substantiated by several studies which have demonstrated that: first, DIS is commonly found in biopsies from patients with active EoE and reverses with steroid therapy [3]; second, DIS correlates to physiologic demonstration of increased esophageal epithelial permeability as shown through transepithelial small molecule flux in mucosal biopsies appraised in Ussing chambers [4], and third, DIS is associated with decreased expression of specific epithelial tight junction proteins such as filaggrin [3]. Thus, a suggested sequence of events in EoE that leads to allergen initiated inflammation includes down regulation of tight junction proteins, dilation of intercellular spaces in the surface epithelium followed by increased permeability and facilitated exposure to food antigens.

Of the present therapies available, topical steroids and in a subset of EoE patients, proton pump inhibitors may improve epithelial permeability. Unfortunately, in the case of proton pump inhibitors, there is early data suggesting that their therapeutic benefit is not sustained. With the use of steroids, there are fears of what the long term side effects of continued use of swallowed steroids might be. The other alternative treatment, diet exclusion therapy is difficult to tailor to the patient and impractical for most adult patients. As a result, alternative treatments are need for EoE.

Sucralfate is a medication that was developed for the treatment of acid-peptic diseases. It's mechanism of action in healing lesions such as gastroduodenal mucosal ulceration still remains unclear but has been described as a "cytoprotective" agent. Several mechanisms have been suggested to be responsible for this protection. These include: binding to and protection of exposed eroded areas, increased prostaglandin production, improved vascular flow, and increased mucus production. This compound has also been shown to augment potential difference in gastric mucosa suggesting a decreased in ion flow. The investigators have shown in measuring mucosal impedance in EoE, this may be related to closure of intercellular spaces which could make this an attractive therapy for eosinophilic esophagitis. Furthermore, the side effect profile of sucralfate is excellent with little systemic absorption. Sucralfate is a category (B) medication, safe for females of child bearing years.