The protective and anti-inflammatory effect of methylene blue in corrosive esophageal burns: An experimental study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, esophageal burns are quite common. They are caused by the ingestion of corrosive substances that may lead to esophageal perforation in the short-term and stricture formation in the long-term. Prevention of stricture progression in the esophagus is the main aim of the treatment for corrosive esophageal burns. We aimed to investigate the protective and anti-inflammatory effects of methylene blue (MB) treatment on corrosive esophageal burns. METHODS: Twenty-eight rats were used in the study and randomly divided into four equal groups; group 1 (Sham), group 2 (control), group 3 (topical treatment), and group 4 (topical plus systemic treatment). Except for group 1 (Sham group), all three groups received sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in order to generate esophageal burns. In addition, group 2 was given normal saline, group 3 topical MB, and group 4 topical and systemic MB. RESULTS: Hydroxyproline levels were found to be lower in each of the treatment groups as compared to the control group (p=0.005 for group 3 and p=0.009 for group 4). There were no differences in the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels between the groups. The stenosis index (SI) in the treatment groups was also lower than the control group (p=0.016 for group 3 and p=0.015 group 4). The histopathologic damage score (HDS) was prominently lower in group 4 as compared to the control group (p=0.05). CONCLUSION: MB is effective in treating tissue damage caused by corrosive esophageal burns and in preventing esophageal stenosis. Complication rates of corrosive esophageal burns may be decreased by using MB in the initial treatment stage.

The comparison of alpha lipoic acid with methylprednisolone and sucralfate in subacute wound healing corrosive esophagus-induced rats: An experimental study

“…Although many agents, including retinoic acid, pentoxifylline, SCF, N-acetylcysteine, antibiotics, and steroids have been used in both clinical and experimental studies to prevent the development of strictures, only antibiotics and steroids have gained clinical application. [11] The main goals of treatment in CEBs are to reduce the burn event that causes damage, to reduce bacterial colonization that may occur in the damaged epithelium, and to prevent stenosis. Currently, to reduce or prevent stenosis, steroids and broad-spectrum antibiotics are started in the early period, dilatation treatments and surgical treatments are used to reduce stenosis.…”

Investigation of the histopathological level of Ki-67, caspase-3 expressions of the effects of hesperidin on wound healing in the rat esophagus

“…Burn injury causes many pathological changes in tissues; however, severity can be varied based on type of tissue, exposure time, type of agent, amount of substance, etc. Common histopathological changes are inflammation, tissue damage, leukocyte infiltration, and collagen deposition 35 . In our study, the Control group showed regular esophageal histology.…”

The healing effect of resveratrol and platelet rich plasma in corrosive esophagitis model in rats

“…As in these studies, many substances have been investigated in terms of their effects on the healing of corrosive esophagitis. Examples of these are methylene blue, polaprezinc, garlic (Allium sativum) oil, or platelet rich plasma [18][19][20][21] . The common aspect of all these substances is that they have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.…”