Figure 5. Summary of some of the key observations in models of mild, moderate and severe esophagitis in rats, and the effects of an inhibitors of hydrogen sulfide synthesis via cystathionine γ-lyase (L-propargylglycine; PAG).

In healthy rats and in the rats with hyperglycemia- or hyperglycemia+stress-induced esophagitis, acute administration of PAG caused a significant exacerbation of esophageal inflammation. Serum levels of IL-10 decreased with the severity of esophagitis, and this was further enhanced in rats treated with PAG. In contrast, serum levels of IL-17 increased sharply in animal with esophagitis, in parallel with the severity of the disease, and administration of PAG caused further increases in all three models. *p<0.05 versus the corresponding vehicle-treated group (Student’s t-test).