Biomedical subjects

S B Heavner

Publications and source records attributed to S B Heavner.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Function of the eustachian tube after weekly exposure to pepsin/hydrochloric acid.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of repeated pepsin/hydrochloric acid (HCl) exposure on the eustachian tube (ET). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: ET function was studied in 22 rats. Group I (control) rats received transtympanic phosphate buffered saline solution; groups II (0.5 mg/ml) and III (2.0 mg/ml) received transtympanic pepsin/HCl. Test solutions were applied on day 0 with ET function evaluated on days 1, 2, 3, and 7 after exposure. Each 7-day period represents 1 cycle; all groups underwent 4 cycles. ET function was evaluated using passive opening and closing pressure, and active clearance of positive and negative pressure tests. RESULTS: Rats exposed to pepsin/HCl had elevated passive opening pressures and a decreased ability to clear positive and negative pressure. A temporal relationship exists. CONCLUSION: The results suggest middle ear exposure to pepsin/HCl leads to ET dysfunction in rats, and that this dysfunction is enhanced with repeated exposures. SIGNIFICANCE: Gastroesophageal reflux may induce ET dysfunction.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Late-phase allergy and eustachian tube dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the role of late-phase allergy in the development of otitis media with effusion. METHODS: Brown Norway rats were sensitized to ovalbumin and later challenged transtympanically. Eustachian tube ventilatory function was assessed 2, 4, 8, 24, 28, and 32 hours postchallenge by measuring passive opening and closing pressures, active clearance of positive and negative middle ear pressure, and mucociliary clearance. RESULTS: The results demonstrate that exposure to transtympanic allergen induces eustachian tube dysfunction and subsequent formation of effusion. Allergic animals showed significant increases in passive and active opening pressures, as well as a decreased ability to actively clear middle ear pressure. Finally, the mucociliary was significantly impaired in all sensitized rats exposed to transtympanic allergen. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that late-phase allergy leads to significant eustachian tube dysfunction and subsequent formation of effusion by impairing the ventilatory and clearance functions of the eustachian tube.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Transient inflammation and dysfunction of the eustachian tube secondary to multiple exposures of simulated gastroesophageal refluxant.

Gastroesophageal reflux is a common problem in the newborn and preschool periods. Recent research suggests that it may be related to eustachian tube dysfunction and otitis media with effusion. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the relationship between simulated gastroesophageal reflux and eustachian tube dysfunction. Rat middle ears were repeatedly exposed (transtympanically) to pepsin in hydrochloric acid or to phosphate-buffered saline solution. Their eustachian tube function was evaluated by assessing passive opening and passive closing pressures, and active clearance of positive and negative pressure. The passive pressure function tests showed variable results. The rats exposed to pepsin in hydrochloric acid had an impaired ability to clear positive and negative pressure from the middle ear as compared to the rats exposed only to phosphate-buffered saline solution. The results demonstrate that multiple middle ear exposures to pepsin in hydrochloric acid leads to eustachian tube dysfunction in rats.

Animals↗