[Pro-inflammatory chemokine IL-8 in gastroesophageal reflux disease].

Recent reports have demonstrated significantly higher expression levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) including non-erosive reflux disease (NERD). The levels of IL-8 mRNA expression were significantly decreased after proton pump inhibitor. The esophageal expression of CINCs, rat IL-8-like chemokines, was markedly enhanced in the models of acute or chronic esophagitis in rats. The production of IL-8 from esophageal mucosal cells was enhanced by the exposure to bile acid. These results suggest that IL-8 chemokine may play a major role in the pathogenesis of esophageal inflammation in GERD.