New Dallas Study Links GERD to Autoimmunity

A new study coming out of UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas suggests that GERD is more the result of an autoimmune disorder than acidic digestive juices.  In studies performed on rats (who were surgically altered to trigger reflux), the damage to the esophagus did not occur immediately, as was expected once the bile and stomach acid began to enter the esophagus.  In addition, the damage did not begin with the outer layer of esophageal tissue which was exposed to the acid, as would have been expected.  Instead, the damage occurred weeks later and began in the deeper tissues (which were not directly exposed to the acid) then worked their way out to the upper layers that had been exposed.

How did this happen?  Researchers discovered the reflux caused the cells in the esophagus to begin releasing cytokines--chemicals associated with autoimmune disorders--which then drew inflammatory cells to the esophagus, creating the disease and the damage.

What does this mean to parents of GERD babies?

1-It reinforces the current theory that GERD is tied to genetics, which has been considered the most probable cause of GERD for the past 10 years.

2-It suggests the medical treatment of GERD would need to be changed.  Current medications are designed to neutralize or shut down the production of acid in the stomach.  (This, of course, can cause intestinal trouble for the patient since some acidic juices are necessary for the digestion of food.)  Autoimmune diseases are treated through other types of medications.  If the stomach acid is not the primary cause of esophageal damage, then perhaps medicine designed for autoimmune digestive disorders may have some benefit.

3-It reinforces the fact that GERD (as opposed to GER or periodic reflux) is a chronic condition and will need to be monitored and controlled over the course of the patient's lifetime.

4-It strengthens the theory that GERD, like other autoimmune disorders, may lie "dormant" in an individual until triggered by an illness, injury, food sensitivity or the environment.  This is particularly important to keep in mind regarding the recent literature that implicates synthetic DHA/ARA as a GERD trigger in infants and toddlers.

To read more about this study and the intended follow-up study on humans, visit http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/558821/?sc=mwhr;xy=5049990