Gastric Protection

The scientific main programmes of these series of symposia changed from time to time following the international scientific trends. The main programmes of the First Symposium were: 1. Gastric and intestinal cytoprotection; 2. Hepatoprotection; 3. Pancreatic protection. For the second one: 1. Gastrointestinal mucosal 'cytoprotection'; 2. Liver 'cytoprotection'; 3. Pancreatic 'cytoprotection'; 4. Free radicals and scavangers; 5. Computer approach to cytoprotec tion. For the third one: 1. Basic, central, peripheral and cellular mechanisms of gastrointestinaol cytoprotection; 2. Esophagal protection; 3. Gastric protection; 4. Small intestinal injury and protection; 5. Large bowel injury and protection; 6. Liver injury and protection; 7. Pancreas injury and protection. The main scientific programmes of the Fourth International Symposium on 'Cell Injury and Protection in the Gastrointestinal Tract' are: 1. General mechanisms of gastrointestinal injury and protection; 2. Cell injury and protection in the stomach; 3. Cell injury and protection in the small intestine and in the large bowel; 4. Cell injury and protection in the liver and pancreas; 5. Cell injury and protection of the premalignant status and malignant diseases in the gastrointestinal tract. The presented papers are published in this book. The abstracts of this meeting were published in Digestive Diseases and Sciences, and we record appreciation of the Editor ofthatjoumal for their publication. Some of the papers published here have appeared in Inflammopharmacology 1996;4:331-398.

Gastric secretions contain hydrogen ions at a concentration that is more than one million times higher than their intracellular concentration. This phenomenal gradient as well as the demonstrated ability of gastric juice to digest tissues has motivated clinicians and investigators alike to emphasize acid secretion and acid ablation in studying the pathogenesis and therapy of peptic ulcer disease. Conse quently, over the past 150 years, we have made considerable progress in under standing the mechanisms and regulation of acid secretion by the stomach. Not surprisingly, therapy for both peptic disease and mucosal injury has also been predominantly directed at either neutralizing acid or suppressing its production. During the past 10 years, attention has been focused on factors other than acid in the genesis and therapy of ulcer disease. Work done worldwide demon strated that acid hypersecretion is not a common event in peptic ulcer disease. Therefore, we began realizing that factors other than acid secretion may be important in the genesis of ulcer disease or in gastroduodenal mucosal damage. In addition, new physiological information has established that the gas troduodenal mucosa is normally protected by a complex series of events includ ing mucus and bicarbonate secretion, cell renewal, surface mucosal restitution, and preservation of the microvasculature and mucosal proliferative zone.

The capsaicin, a component of paprika, has been used in the culinary practice of every day nutritional practice. This agent is known to cause a variety of actions in the body through activating capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurons. A recently launched book entitled, Capsaicin-Sensitive Neural Afferentation and the Gastrointestinal Tract: from Bench to Bedside, is attractive for several reasons. First, Prof. Mozsik, a chief editor of this book, is known internationally as an expert in capsaicin pharmacology. Since he has worked for many years as a head of internal medicine, taking care of patients with various GI diseases, he is able to make a correct interpretation of various findings obtained in basic researches to clinical events. Second, although there are many articles about capsaicin, they mostly deal with basic research and finding but do not include much about clinical finding. Third, this book encompassed review articles written by internationally accepted scientists leading the field of capsaicin research, who highlighted the current state of knowledge on pharmacology, physiology and clinical phathophysiology of capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurons, and discussed directions for future research. Overall, this book is for people who are interested in the capsaicin action in body.

This book is a comprehensive overview of invited contributions on Helicobacter pylori infection in gastritis and gastric carcinogenesis. The first part of the book covers topics related to the pathophysiology of gastric mucosal defense system and gastritis including the gastroprotective function of the mucus, the capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves and the oxidative stress pathway involved in inflammation, apoptosis and autophagy in H. pylori related gastritis. The next chapters deal with molecular pathogenesis and treatment, which consider the role of neuroendocrine cells in gastric disease, DNA methylation in H. pylori infection, the role of antioxidants and phytotherapy in gastric disease. The final part presents the effects of cancer risk factors associated with H. pylori infection. These chapters discuss the serum pepsinogen test, K-ras mutations, cell kinetics, and H. pylori lipopolysaccharide, as well as the roles of several bacterial genes (cagA, cagT, vacA and dupA) as virulence factors in gastric cancer, and the gastrokine-1 protein in cancer progression.

Bioactive Food as Dietary Interventions for Liver and Gastrointestinal Disease provides valuable insights for those seeking nutritional treatment options for those suffering from liver and/or related gastrointestinal disease including Crohn’s, allergies, and colitis among others. Information is presented on a variety of foods including herbs, fruits, soy and olive oil. This book serves as a valuable resource for researchers in nutrition, nephrology, and gastroenterology. Addresses the most positive results from dietary interventions using bioactive foods to impact diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal system, including reduction of inflammation, improved function, and nutritional efficiency Presents a wide range of liver and gastrointestinal diseases and provides important information for additional research Associated information can be used to understand other diseases, which share common etiological pathways

Based on the proceedings of a satellite symposium held in conjunction with the 9th World Congress of Gastroenterology, this book reflects the change in focus of current research to studies of chronic repair rather than acute responses and deeper mucosal elements rather than surface phenomena.