ULTRASTRUCTURAL DAMAGE OF GASTRIC EPITHELIUM IN PATIENTS TAKING NSAIDS

As far as concerns ultrastructural lesions in the gastric epithelium f ollowing NAISDs, a review has been made of existing data and ideas for future research concerning the ultrastructural field are advanced, Sp ecific ultrastructural damage of the gastric epithelial cells has been recognized in patients taking NSAIDs: this pattern of damage appears characterized by a proliferative phenomen of ''desquamation'' of conti guous epithelial cells. Studies ins animal models indicate that the fi rst-level of epithelial damage involves a mitochondrial derangement an d an alteration of tight junctions and cytoskeletal. The length of tim e of local drug action on the gastric mucosa could be the reason for t he characteristic morphological presentation seen in vivo. If ulcers a re the result of an imbalance between cell necrosis and cell regenerat ion, the high progression speed of cell necrosis to contiguous cells s hould play a basic role in the genesis of ulcers.