Introduction: Ligamentous attachments maintain the normal anatomical position of the gastroesophageal (GE) junction. Failure of these elastic ligaments through an alteration in collagen synthesis, deposition and metabolism may be a primary etiology of hiatal hernia formation. Differential expression of zinc-dependent matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is largely responsible for collagen remodeling. The purpose of this study was to survey metalloproteinase expression in the supporting ligaments of the GE junction.
Methods: Under an IRB-approved protocol, tissue biopsies of the gastrohepatic ligament (GHL), gastrophrenic ligament (GPL) and phrenoesophageal ligament (PEL) were obtained in six patients without a hiatal hernia during laparoscopic anterior esophageal myotomy for achalasia. Total protein extracts from tissue biopsies were analyzed for elastases MMP-2, -9, -12 and collagenases MMP-1, -3, -8, 13 using a multiplex profiling kit (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN). Data are given as means ± SD. Statistical significance (p
Session: Podium Presentation
Program Number: S051