Background

Mucosal Injury can occur to any of the mucosal surfaces in the gastrointestinal tract. As a clinical problem oral mucositis is a significant issue as is esophagitis due to acid reflux.  Mucositis injury to the lower GI tract frequently presents as Crohn’s/colitis/IBD, while mucosal injury to the lining of the stomach presents as gastritis.

The incidence of esophagitis is 2.4 cases/1000 population. If radiation therapy is excluded, the primary cause of esophagitis is gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), but the condition can also be caused by medications. Esophagitis is a major risk factor for esophageal cancer.

Animal Models
Animal models of mucosal injury include:
Oral Mucositis
Esophagitis
GI mucositis
IBD/colitis  and
Proctitis.

In addtion, to these models which are covered in other sections, Biomodels offers a model of  injury to the oral mucosa.  In this model, an intentional wound is created in the oral mucosa, usually in the tongue of rats and the healing process is monitored. Animals may be pre-treated with chemotherapy agents to simulate the situation in patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy.