GASTRIC MUCOSAL PROTECTION Peripheral mechanisms of gastric mucosal protection: mediators, receptors Gastric mucosal barrier to acid

Gastric mucosal integrity can be influenced both by peripheral and central mechanisms. In the last decades the peripheral mechanisms of gastric mucosal defense have been intensively studied, and many details have been clarified. Some of these results have served as a basis for the development of new strategies, therapeutic targets in the treatment of gastric mucosal lesions. On the other hand, in the last 20 years, central regulation of gastric mucosal protection has been intensively studied as well, and convincing evidence was obtained on the role of central nervous system (CNS) in the regulation of gastric mucosal integrity. However, several mechanisms of the centrally induced gastric mucosal protection have not been clarified yet, and further studies are needed to determine the role of CNS under physiological and pathophysiological conditions in gastric mucosal homeostasis as well as to reveal how the central regulatory mechanisms can be utilized in human therapy.