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Reflux-Induced Oxidative Stress in Barrett's Esophagus: Response, Repair, and Epithelial-Mesenchymal-Transition

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Barrett's Esophagus
Interventions
Other: Cessation of Acid Suppressing Medications
Registration Number
NCT02579460
Lead Sponsor
Dallas VA Medical Center
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to elucidate mechanisms whereby oxidative stress induced by acute reflux esophagitis: 1) activates p38 to regulate proteins that control the G1/S cell cycle checkpoint, and 2) activates HIFs (hypoxia inducible factors) to cause autocrine VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) signaling that triggers the EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal-transition) program in Barrett's esophagus.

Detailed Description

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and its complication, Barrett's esophagus (BE), are risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma. In BE, GERD causes inflammation with oxidative DNA damage and genomic instability that contributes to carcinogenesis. In BE, one response to oxidative stress is p38 pathway activation, which might protect against cancer development by initiating G1 arrest and enabling repair of DNA damage. Inflammation and oxidative stress also might induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), the process in which epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal characteristics including the ability to migrate. This study will elucidate mechanisms whereby the oxidative stress of acute reflux esophagitis in BE activates p38 to regulate proteins controlling the G1/S cell cycle checkpoint, and activates HIFs to cause autocrine vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling that triggers the EMT program.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
15
Inclusion Criteria
  • U.S. Veteran
  • Barrett's Esophagus
Exclusion Criteria
  • Inability to provide informed consent
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Esophageal varices
  • Warfarin use
  • Coagulopathy that precludes safe biopsy of the esophagus
  • Comorbidity that precludes safe participation in the study

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Barrett's esophagus patientsCessation of Acid Suppressing MedicationsPatients with Barrett's Esophagus will be enrolled. The intervention is cessation of acid-suppressing medications. Biopsies will be taken during endoscopy at Day 0, 7, and 14.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in esophageal mucosal inflammation using histopathological assessment from baseline to 14 daysday 0, day 7, and day 14

Inflammation of the esophageal mucosa will be measured at baseline, 7 days, and at 14 days. Esophageal mucosal inflammation will be measured using esophageal mucosal biopsy specimens, and histopatholgical grading. Mucosal infiltration with inflammatory cells (neutrophils, eosinophils, and lymphocytes) will be measured.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Show oxidative DNA damage associated with p38 activationday 0, day 7, and day 14

OxiSelect Oxidative DNA Damage ELISA assay of Barrett's mucosa at baseline, day 7, and day 14

change in VEGF from baseline to 14 daysday 0, day 7, and day 14

VEGF will be measured in the esophageal mucosa at baseline, 7 days, and at day 14

change in p38 pathway from baseline to 14 daysday 0, day 7, and day 14

p38 and components of the p38 pathway will be measured in the esophageal mucosa at baseline, 7 days, and at 14 days

change in phosoho-p38 from baseline to 14 daysday 0, day 7, and day 14

phospho-p38 will be measured in the esophageal mucosa at baseline, day 7, and at day 14

change in APE-1 from baseline to 14 daysday 0, day 7, and day 14

APE-1 will be measured in the esophageal mucosa at baseline, day 7, and at day 14

change in NPM1 from baseline to 14 daysday 0, day 7, and day 14

NPM-1 will be measured in the esophageal mucosa at baseline, day 7, and at day 14

change in phospho-NPM1 from baseline to 14 daysday 0, day 7, and day 14

phospho-NPM1 will be measured in the esophageal mucosa at baseline, day 7, and at day 14

change in miRNA expression from baseline to 14 daysday 0, day 7, and day 14

miRNAs will be measured in the esophageal mucosa and in exosomes isolated from the blood at baseline, day 7, and day 14

change in HIF expression from baseline to 14 daysday 0, day 7, and day 14

HIF expression will be measured in the esophageal mucosa at baseline, day 7, and day 14

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Dallas VA Medical Center

🇺🇸

Dallas, Texas, United States

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