Korean J Gastrointest Motil.  2000 Nov;6(2):180-187.

Characteristics of Transient Lower Esophageal Sphincter Relaxation in Healthy Korean Adults

• Hur BW
• Song CW
• Kim HR
• Kim YB
• Kang CD
• Lee JW
• Jeen YT
• Chun HJ
• Um SH
• Lee SW
• Choi JH
• Kim CD
• Ryu HS
• Hyun JH

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (tLESR) is the main cause of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in both healthy subjects and patients with GER disease. Unfortunately, we have no data on tLESR and its relationship with GER in Korea. Therefore, this study was performed to evaluate the characteristics of tLESR in Korean subjects and the mechanisms of GER after Korean meals.
METHODS
Eight healthy volunteers (8 men, 23 to 25 yrs) received a Korean meal (laver-rolled rice, fried egg, sweet rice juice, 640 Kcal). A mylohyoid electromyogram, LES pressure using a Dent sleeve and esophageal pH were simultaneously recorded for 1 hour while fasting and 3 hours after the meal. We compared the manometric profile of swallow-induced LES relaxation (sLESR) with the manometric profile of tLESR and evaluated the frequency of tLESR and reflux episodes, and their relationship.
RESULTS
Compared with sLESR, tLESR showed longer time onset to completion, slower relaxation rate, longer duration of relaxation, and a lower nadir pressure. Incidence of tLESR increased after the meal, which was mostly accompanied by GER. Also, the frequency of GER increased after the meal, which mostly occurred during tLESR.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that tLESR is a main cause of GER in healthy Korean adults, which is a similar result to studies of Westerners.

Keyword

Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation; Gastroesophageal acid reflux; Esophageal manometry

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Esophageal Sphincter, Lower*
Fasting
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Healthy Volunteers
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Incidence
Korea
Male
Meals
Ovum
Relaxation*