Biomaterial Database

Transmucosal potential difference; diagnostic value in gastro-oseophageal reflux. 1978

B Khamis, and C Kennedy, and J Finucane, and J S Doyle

Nineteen patients with symptoms of upper gastrointestinal disease were assessed by endoscopy. Transmucosal potential difference (PD) in the lower oesophagus was recorded and suction biopsy specimens were obtained from the site of measurement and examined by light microscopy after haematoxylin and eosin staining. In 10 patients with normal histology, mean PD was--14.4 mV (SEM +/- 0.4 mV), whereas in nine patients with histological changes of reflux mean was +9.4 mV (SEM +/- 3.0 mV). In this latter group, polarity of the PD was reversed in all but one case. Good correlation was found between these objective indices of lower oesophageal disease and the presence of symptoms such as dysphagia and heartburn. The visual appearance at endoscopy was less reliable. It is suggested that measurement of PD is a simple, rapid, and sensitive method of detecting the presence of oesophageal mucosal damage.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008564	Membrane Potentials	The voltage differences across a membrane. For cellular membranes they are computed by subtracting the voltage measured outside the membrane from the voltage measured inside the membrane. They result from differences of inside versus outside concentration of potassium, sodium, chloride, and other ions across cells' or ORGANELLES membranes. For excitable cells, the resting membrane potentials range between -30 and -100 millivolts. Physical, chemical, or electrical stimuli can make a membrane potential more negative (hyperpolarization), or less negative (depolarization).	Resting Potentials,Transmembrane Potentials,Delta Psi,Resting Membrane Potential,Transmembrane Electrical Potential Difference,Transmembrane Potential Difference,Difference, Transmembrane Potential,Differences, Transmembrane Potential,Membrane Potential,Membrane Potential, Resting,Membrane Potentials, Resting,Potential Difference, Transmembrane,Potential Differences, Transmembrane,Potential, Membrane,Potential, Resting,Potential, Transmembrane,Potentials, Membrane,Potentials, Resting,Potentials, Transmembrane,Resting Membrane Potentials,Resting Potential,Transmembrane Potential,Transmembrane Potential Differences
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D004947	Esophagus	The muscular membranous segment between the PHARYNX and the STOMACH in the UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT.
D005260	Female		Females
D005764	Gastroesophageal Reflux	Retrograde flow of gastric juice (GASTRIC ACID) and/or duodenal contents (BILE ACIDS; PANCREATIC JUICE) into the distal ESOPHAGUS, commonly due to incompetence of the LOWER ESOPHAGEAL SPHINCTER.	Esophageal Reflux,Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease,GERD,Gastric Acid Reflux,Gastric Acid Reflux Disease,Gastro-Esophageal Reflux,Gastro-oesophageal Reflux,Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease,Reflux, Gastroesophageal,Acid Reflux, Gastric,Gastro Esophageal Reflux,Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease,Gastro oesophageal Reflux,Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Diseases,Reflux Disease, Gastro-Esophageal,Reflux, Gastric Acid,Reflux, Gastro-Esophageal,Reflux, Gastro-oesophageal
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D000368	Aged	A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available.	Elderly