Gastric cytoprotection.

The term 'cytoprotection' means protection against gastric mucosal injury by a mechanism other than inhibition or neutralisation of gastric acid. Several mechanisms of gastric cytoprotection have been proposed like increased mucus and bicarbonate secretion, strengthening of gastric mucosal barrier, increased gastric mucosal blood flow, decreased gastric motility, increased formation of prostaglandins and sulfhydryls, scavenging of free radicals, stimulation of cellular growth and repair, decreased release of leukotrienes etc. Some of the drugs widely used in therapy of peptic ulcer are cytoprotective e.g. sucralfate, colloidal bismuth and aluminium containing antacids. As the concept of gastric cytoprotection is becoming widely accepted, the list of drugs which have shown a cytoprotective action in animal experiments is growing rapidly. This list includes zinc sulphate, meciadanol, propranolol, dipyridamole etc.