EFFECTS OF WINE ON LOWER ESOPHAGEAL SPHINCTER PRESSURE AND ESOPHAGEALPH

Eleven volunteers received 300 ml white wine, an ethanol solution and tap water to compare the effects of these beverages on lower oesophage al sphincter pressure and gastro-oesophageal reflux. A continuous meas urement of sphincter pressure and oesophageal pH was performed one hou r before and after ingestion. A significant increase in fraction of ti me pH < 4 (P < 0.01 vs ethanol, P < 0.001 vs water) coincident with a significant decrease in sphincter pressure (P < 0. 01) was observed af ter the in take of wine. The duration of transient sphincter relaxatio ns (P < 0.05) as well as the duration of reflux episodes (P < 0.001) w ere significantly prolonged, its frequencies were not significantly en hanced. Reflux occurred almost exclusively during complete sphincter r elaxations after the intake of ethanol and water, whereas an increase in 'stress reflux' and the occurrence of 'free reflux' was observed af ter ingestion of wine (P < 0.001). It is concluded that this change in reflux pattern is related to the depressive effect of wine on lower o esophageal sphincter pressure. Pure ethanol is not responsible for the effects of wine.