Ovine esophagi were exposed to phosphate-buffered saline 2.5 % , 15 % , or 25 % sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The effect of NaOH concentrations on epithelial damage was assessed histologically. Esophageal epithelial cells were then isolated, and cell count and viability were investigated. Finally, cell number, viability, and morphology of esophageal epithelial cells were determined for 24 days of in vitro culture.
Histologic analysis showed a progressive destruction of the epithelium proportional to increasing NaOH concentrations. Esophagi treated with phosphate-buffered saline and 2.5 % NaOH showed significantly higher viable cell counts after isolation and culture in comparison with those treated with 15 % to 5 % NaOH.
The evidence presented in this study indicates that epithelial biopsies from an esophagus exposed to low concentrations (2.5 % ) of NaOH will still yield large numbers of viable cells suitable for tissue engineering applications. In cases of exposure to higher concentrations (15 % -25 % ), alternative cell sources for epithelial regeneration, such as stem cells, will be necessary for tissue engineering applications.