IL-33 expression in esophageal epithelial layers of patients with heartburn and controls.

<p>IL-33 mRNA expression was analyzed using qRT-PCR and was compared at the middle (A) and distal (B) esophagus of control samples, and the heartburn patients (Total), the subjects who were not taking a PPI (no PPI) and who were (PPI). (C) Representative immunofluorescence staining of IL-33 in the apical and basal layers of the distal esophagus of a control sample and a heartburn patient with taking a PPI is shown. DAPI was used for nuclear staining. *<i>P</i> < 0.05, **<i>P</i> < 0.01, ***<i>P</i> < 0.001, ^<b>▲</b><i>P</i> = 0.08 vs. Control; ns, not significant vs. no PPI. Bar = 100 μm.</p

Relative levels of cytokine mRNAs.

<p>Relative levels of cytokine mRNAs.</p

Intercellular space (ICS) diameters of the esophagus in patients with heartburn patients and controls.

<p>Middle and distal esophageal biopsy specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Intercellular space diameters of the middle (A) and distal (B) esophagus at the basal layers of squamous epithelial cells were then measured in control samples and heartburn patients (Total). The heartburn patients (Total) consist of the subjects who were not taking a PPI (no PPI) and who were (PPI). The horizontal line in each sample indicates the median value. *<i>P</i> < 0.05, **<i>P</i> < 0.01, ***<i>P</i> < 0.001 vs. Control; ns, not significant vs. no PPI.</p

Histological characteristics in patients and controls.

<p>Histological characteristics in patients and controls.</p