EFFECT OF INTRALUMINAL TEMPERATURE ON HUMAN ESOPHAGEAL MOTOR FUNCTION

Oesophageal motor activity is altered by bolus temperature. The effect s of sustained cold or warm intraluminal temperature on oesophageal mo tility have not been documented in detail. Oesophageal manometry was p erformed in 11 normal subjects after intraluminal room, cold- and warm -water treatments. The intraluminal temperatures were 34.2 +/- 0.8, 30 .6 +/- 1.7 and 39.7 +/- 0.9 degrees C respectively during room tempera ture, cold and warm applications. Low-temperature treatment prolonged the duration of lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation and the duratio n of oesophageal peristaltic contraction wave compared with the room t emperature and warm treatments. Low temperature also attenuated the me an pressure slope of oesophageal contraction waves and resulted in an increased percentage of non-transmitted and simultaneous contractions. The effects of low-temperature application persisted as long as the i ntraluminal temperature remained constant and there was no adaptation. Cooling oesophageal lumen temperature alters oesophageal motor activi ty, and this effect is not adaptive.