Faculty Collaboration Database

Pepsin: biomarker, mediator, and therapeutic target for reflux and aspiration. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2018 12;1434(1):282-289

Date

05/19/2018

Pubmed ID

29774546

DOI

10.1111/nyas.13729

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85047661971   7 Citations

Abstract

Extra-esophageal reflux is suspected to cause a wide range of clinical symptoms in the upper airways. Diagnosis and treatment has focused on acid, but realization of the role of nonacid reflux has resulted in research investigating the use of pepsin as a biomarker for gastric reflux and aspiration. Pepsin analysis can complement the use of questionnaires and office-based diagnosis and lessen the dependency on invasive and expensive diagnostic tests. Furthermore, pepsin as a first-line diagnostic biomarker has been shown to improve the accuracy of reflux diagnosis. In addition to its use as a diagnostic biomarker, pepsin has been shown to cause inflammation independent of the pH of the refluxate and thus despite acid suppression therapy. Research is ongoing to develop new therapies for airway reflux that specifically target pepsin.

Author List

Johnston N, Dettmar PW, Ondrey FG, Nanchal R, Lee SH, Bock JM

Authors

Jonathan Bock MD Associate Professor in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Nikki Johnston PhD Associate Professor in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Rahul Sudhir Nanchal MD Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Biomarkers
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Humans
Pepsin A
Pneumonia, Aspiration