Figure 3.

Representative examples of cross-sections of esophageal mucosa (H&E) treated with saline (A) or different damaging solutions (B–D). (A) No damage (grade 0). (B) Acid solution (60 minutes): mild damage (grade 1) extended throughout one or two epithelial layers. (C) Pepsin solution (30 minutes); moderate damage (grade 2) mainly localized on superficial layers. A disorganization of epithelial layers was observed along the tissue, with some intact areas and areas in which erosion interested from 30% to 50% of mucosal thickness. (D) Acid solution (90 minutes); severe damage (grade 3) and complete erosion of keratinic epithelial layers, with injury extending through more than 50% of epithelial stratified layer.