| [ Summary ] |
Recent studies have shown that free radical production is involved in gastric inflammation induced by Helicobacter pylori infection, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, or several stress. Since free radicals,are strong oxidizing agents, they are probably the chemical species responsible for oxidative stress-induced enzyme inactivation, lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage. Recent evidence shows that some oxygen radicals act as messengers for signal transduction. The main source of oxygen free radicals is considered to be activated neutrophils, stimulated by inflammatory cytokines, neutrophil activating proteins, and lipid mediators. Clarifying the mechanism of neutrophil-dependent oxidative stress on the gastric mucosa has lead to development of a novel strategy to treat gastric inflammation. |