Cytoprotection is a process by which chemical compounds provide protection tocells against harmful agents.[1]
A gastriccytoprotectant is any medication that combatsulcers not by reducinggastric acid but by increasing mucosal protection.[citation needed] Examples of gastric cytoprotective agents includeprostaglandins which protect the stomach mucosa against injury by increasing gastricmucus secretion.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins and thereby make the stomach more susceptible to injury.[2] Gastric cytoprotective drugs includecarbenoxolone, deglycyrrhizinisedliquorice,sucralfate (aluminium hydroxide and sulphatedsucrose),misoprostol (aprostaglandin analogue),bismuth chelate (tri-potassium di-citrato bismuthate) andzincL-carnosine.
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This article incorporates text from theUnited States National Library of Medicine, which is in thepublic domain.