Gaseous mediators (H2S, NO and CO) a new approach in gastrointestinal protection

Gastrointestinal damage is generated by a wide range of harmful agents, and the result activation inflammatory, oxidant cytotoxic mechanisms, that together overwhelm “mucosa defense” gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It currently known mechanisms which gastric are slightly different from those generate intestinal damage. The treatments available on market such as citoprotectors, use selective Ciclooxigenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitors, co-prescription acid suppressive agents prostaglandin analogues mainly focused damage, their has begun to be limited due its adverse effects at cardiovascular level. Due multifactorial origin, prevention treatment GI requires effective therapies can protect both level modulating more than one mechanism. Recently, been reported contribution gaseous mediators nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S) carbon monoxide (CO) in many physiological processes tract, including maintenance mucosal barrier integrity. Experimental evidence shown promising results regarding safety these gasotransmitters, especially coupled NSAIDs. This review will try give general overview main differences, existing for information gas transmitters with brief description roles each molecules.