Alterations of gut neuropeptides in gastroesophageal reflux disease are resolved after antireflux surgery

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may cause alterations of gut neuropeptides such as motilin and neurotensin that are known to control foregut motility. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these alterations may be resolved following antireflux surgery. Methods: Basal and postprandial plasma levels of motilin and neurotensin were measured in 20 GERD patients preoperatively and 6 months after antireflux surgery. There were 9 patients with normal esophageal peristalsis and 11 with poor esophageal body motility. Eleven healthy subjects served as control group. Results: GERD patients with poor esophageal body motility had low basal plasma levels of motilin and high levels of neurotensin. Postprandial motilin levels were significantly increased in these GERD patients. After antireflux surgery, all observed alterations of gut neuropeptides returned to normal values. Conclusions: Alterations of gut neuropeptides may be implicated in the pathophysiology of impaired esophageal peristalsis in GERD. Antireflux surgery restores normal physiology of gut neuropeptides. This may contribute to improvement of foregut motility in GERD, thus counteracting duodenogastric reflux.