Evaluation of the intestinal microflora in the rat model for esophageal adenocarcinoma

Surgically induced duodenal reflux results in cancer development in the rat esophagus. One proposed mechanism of carcinogenesis relies on the producti on of carcinogens in the presence of bacterial overgrowth. Against this bac kground, intestinal microflora in the rat jejunum was analyzed before and a fter reflux-inducing surgery. Total gastrectomy and esophagojejunostomy wer e performed on Sprague-Dawley rats to produce esophageal reflux of duodenal juice (n=12). Three days before surgery they were randomized into three gr oups: animals which received tap water; animals which received acidified wa ter at pH 1.8; and animals subjected to oral decontamination with triple an tibiotics. During surgery and at autopsy after 2 weeks, intestinal juice wa s aspirated and analyzed immediately for bacterial content. The physiologic microflora of the rat jejunum contained Lactobacillus spp. and Bacteroides spp., both of which were resistant to the antibiotic regimen. Bacterial ov ergrowth with fecal bacteria was found following surgery. Acidified water d id not alter the intestinal microflora. Triple antibiotics eliminated Esche richia coli and Proteus spp. and reduced the concentration of Enterococcus spp. Bacterial overgrowth by bacteria of the fecal flora occurs in the rat model of esophageal adenocarcinoma with the potential to catalyze the produ ction of carcinogens.