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Regenerating GERD damaged esophagus

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 1/15/2013 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
Sharing some very fascinating recent articles that make use of what is called Extra Cellular Matrix to regenerate (restore) body parts.

Early stage cancer after Barrett's completely healed
www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/health/tissue-engineering-procedure-to-save-the-esophagus-feeds-effort-to-build-human-organs-647782/

Marine recovers from huge muscle loss
www.nytimes.com/2012/09/17/health/research/human-muscle-regenerated-with-animal-help.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Man grows cut-off finger
www.esquire.com/features/esquire-100/pigfinger1007

All these are from the Badylak lab at University of Pittsburgh.
www.mirm.pitt.edu/badylak/projects.asp
www.mirm.pitt.edu/badylak/clinical/Esophageal_B_A.asp
Posted 1/15/2013 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
For folks around Pittsburgh, would any of you be able to contact them at the McGowan institute to figure out possible future solutions for GERD ?
Posted 1/15/2013 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
This procedure offers a way for early stage esophageal cancer patient to avoid esophagectomy, a highly invasive surgery. I don't think it can cure GERD. Regenerating the lining of esophagus doesn't stop the acid from refluxing. Unless there is a way to regenerate the LES and vagus nerves......
Posted 1/15/2013 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
WJF,

You are right, but esophageal injury needs to be addressed as well since repeated gerd related injury can cause scarring thereby shortening the esophagus and causing a hernia though I can't readily recall where I read this.

I was mentioning this in the context of generating soft tissues all over the body, for the curious ones.

As for LES, sphincter regeneration is definitely being investigated. The same institute is doing clinical trials for urinary incontinence and artificial sphincters grown in the lab are showing promise. www.wakehealth.edu/Research/WFIRM/Projects/Anal-Sphincters.htm
Posted 1/15/2013 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't read the articles, but wanted to comment on the esophagectomy. I was twice scheduled to have this surgery when my torn esophagus wouldn't stop leaking after surgery to repair it. It is a very serious and hard to recover from surgery. I managed to keep my esophagus after many different doctors got together and came up with alternate game plans that eventually let my esophagus scar over. The last surgery was called off just one hour before I was to head to the OR. If they can do anything to avoid that surgery it is a very good thing.

Bill
Posted 1/16/2013 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
This is definitely an interesting approach to treat illness. I hope it can opens up a treatment alternative for GERD.
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