Effects of interferon-alpha-2b and octreotide on healing of esophageal corrosive burns

Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of interfero n-alpha to 2b and octreotide on the treatment of esophagus corrosive burns. Method: The experimental study was performed on 63 rabbits. Burn was obtai ned by treating a segment, isolated in cervical esophagus, with NAOH. The r abbits were allocated into three groups (control, interferon, and octreotid e). On the fourth, eighth, and 20th days, 7 rabbits randomly selected from each group were killed. Comparisons among the groups were made by taking hi stopathologic findings, stenosis index, and hydroxyproline production into consideration. Cross-tabulation and analysis of variance tests were used fo r statistical analysis. Results: There were no statistically significant di fferences among the groups in terms of epithelial changes, extension of inf lammation, and severity of fibrosis. In terms of severity of inflammation, there was a statistically Significant difference between the control and th e other two groups. Also, a significant difference was found between the co ntrol group and the other two groups in terms of extension of fibrosis on t he 20th day. The difference between the control and the two treatment group s was significant on the eighth day and the 20th day measurements. Comparis on of the hydroxyproline values showed a statistically significant differen ce between the octreotide group and the other two groups on the eighth and 20th days. Conclusion: Histopathologic and biochemical findings indicate th at, by hindering fibrosis progress, octreotide (and interferon) might be ne w and promising alternatives in the treatment of corrosive burns of the eso phagus.