Surgical Models of Gastroesophageal Reflux with Mice

Summary

This article demonstrates surgical procedures of gastroesophageal reflux with mice. These models are useful tools for research on mechanisms and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease and potentially Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Abstract

Multiple surgical procedures have been reported to induce gastroesophageal reflux in animals. Herein, we report three surgical models with mice aiming to induce reflux of gastric contents, duodenal contents or mixed contents. Surgical procedures and general principles have been described in detail. A researcher with surgical experience should be able to grasp the technique after a short period of practice. After surgery, most mice can survive and develop reflux esophagitis similar to that in humans. However, it should be noted that histological differences between mouse and human esophagus are the inherent limitations of these surgical models. If used for research on Barrett’s esophagus and adenocarcinoma, these procedures may need to be combined with genetic modifications.

Introduction

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic disorder caused by the prolonged exposure of distal esophagus to gastric or gastroduodenal contents¹. Prolonged exposure to these noxious refluxates impairs the intrinsic defenses within the esophageal epithelium and thus results in esophagitis². Barrett’s esophagus arises in the setting of chronic reflux, and is a premalignant lesion with increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma^3,4. Despite the clinical importance, the mechanisms of GERD, Barrett’s esophagus and adenocarcinoma have not been well understood.

Animal models are essential for r....

Protocol

All the animal experiments have been approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.

1. Mouse Preparation

1. Use mice over ~20 g in body weight or above ~6 weeks in age for surgery.
2. Before surgery, give mice a laboratory chow and water ad libitum and maintain on a 12:12 hr light-dark cycle.
3. Shave the surgical area with a hair clipper. Anesthetize mice by intraperitoneal injection of 80 mg/kg ketamine and 12 mg/kg xylazine. This dose puts mice into sleep in a few minutes and provides sufficient anesthesia for the following surgical procedures.
4. Confirm proper anesthetization based u....

Results

Most mice (>95%) can survive the surgery. During the perioperative period, the leading causes of death include overdose of anesthetics, bleeding and unknown reasons.

Four weeks after surgery, >90% mice with gastric reflux or mixed reflux and >80% mice with duodenal reflux can survive. During this period, mice primarily die of esophageal stricture and inability to eat. These mice show signs of severe stress (hunched posture, inactivity, vomiting, sunken eyes, vocalization, etc.

Discussion

Various surgical models have been established to mimic gastric, duodenal and mixed reflux in rodents. These three procedures described here are suitable for long-term experiments with reasonable rates of postoperative survival. A researcher with surgical experience should be able to grasp the technique after a short period of practice.

Bleeding may result from intraperitoneal injection of anesthetics before surgery, laceration of the liver during separation of the connective tissues between th.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Dumont #1 Forceps Dumostar Tip	Roboz Surgical Instrument Co. (Gaithersburg, MD)
Micro Clip Applying Forceps 5.5"	Roboz Surgical Instrument Co. (Gaithersburg, MD)
Bonn Scissors 3.5" Straight 15 mm Sharp/Sharp Tungsten Carbide Blades	Roboz Surgical Instrument Co. (Gaithersburg, MD)
Operating Scissors 5.5" Straight Sharp/Sharp SureCut	Roboz Surgical Instrument Co. (Gaithersburg, MD)
4-0 Silk Black Braid 100 Yard Spool	Roboz Surgical Instrument Co. (Gaithersburg, MD)
Surgeon's Needle 1/2 Circle Cutting Edge Size 12 (25 mm Chord Length) Pack 12	Roboz Surgical Instrument Co. (Gaithersburg, MD)
Halsey Needle Holder 5" Smooth	Roboz Surgical Instrument Co. (Gaithersburg, MD)
Micro Needle Holder 5.125" Curved Lock .6 mm	Roboz Surgical Instrument Co. (Gaithersburg, MD)
Reflex 9 mm Wound Clip Applier	Roboz Surgical Instrument Co. (Gaithersburg, MD)
Reflex 9 mm Wound Clips Box Of 100	Roboz Surgical Instrument Co. (Gaithersburg, MD)
PRONOVA Poly (hexafluoropropylene-VDF) Suture 8-0	Ethicon US, LLC
Ringer's solution	Henry Schein, Inc.
ketamine	Henry Schein, Inc.
xylazine	Henry Schein, Inc.