There is no demonstrated correlation between the severity of esophagitis and the concentration of biliary salts in the reflux fluid

Bile salts are alleged to be injurious to the esophageal mucosa and to promote esophagitis when refluxed into the esophagus. Especially the secondary bile salt, deoxycholate (DOCA), and in particular in its deconjugated form, has been incriminated, since DOCA is a highly potent detergent with widespread cytotoxic effects. It remains, however, obscure whether there is any correlation between bile salts in the reflux material and esophagitis. The present paper compares the contents of bile salts as well as bile salt composition in the reflux fluid with the severity of esophagitis, paying special emphasis to DOCA. The results are based on data published earlier [1].