Role of Immunty in Gastric Ulcer

Abstract

Gastric ulcer is a very common global gastrointestinal disease. Despite extensive study, the mechanisms underlying the gastric mucosal injury are far from fully understood. Gastric mucosa is frequently exposed to harmful agents that may cause injury. These include exogenousfactors such as alcohol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen, Helicobacter pylori and ischemia–reperfusion, and endogenous factors such as gastric acid, pepsin and inflammatory cytokines. Under normal circumstances, the gastric mucosa can maintain structural integrity and protects itself against these agents through mucosal defense systems. This consists of epithelial cell lining, mucus covering and bicarbonate ions. This review provides an update on the current knowledge and recent findings related to the protective effects of gastric mucosa and immune system and its related mediators, highlighting recent advances in reduction of mucosal injury by using cytokines and other like stimulating Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide release.