Autophagy in Gastric Mucosa: The Dual Role and Potential Therapeutic Target

Abstract

The incidence of stomach diseases is very high, which has a significant impact on human health. Damaged gastric mucosa is more vulnerable to injury, leading to bleeding and perforation, which eventually aggravates the primary disease. Therefore, the protection of gastric mucosa is crucial. However, existing drugs that protect gastric mucosa can cause nonnegligible side effects, such as hepatic inflammation, nephritis, hypoacidity, impotence, osteoporotic bone fracture, and hypergastrinemia. Autophagy, as a major intracellular lysosome-dependent degradation process, plays a key role in maintaining intracellular homeostasis and resisting environmental pressure, which may be a potential therapeutic target for protecting gastric mucosa. Recent studies have demonstrated that autophagy played a dual role when gastric mucosa exposed to biological and chemical factors. More indepth studies are needed on the protective effect of autophagy in gastric mucosa. In this review, we focus on the mechanisms and the dual role of various biological and chemical factors regulating autophagy, such as Helicobacter pylori, virus, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. And we summarize the pathophysiological properties and pharmacological strategies for the protection of gastric mucosa through autophagy.

Progress in traditional Chinese medicine against chronic gastritis: From chronic non-atrophic gastritis to gastric precancerous lesions

“…Scholars have confirmed that IFN-γ inhibits gastric carcinogenesis by inducing autophagy to reduce apoptosis of epithelial cells [ 96 ]. Therefore, the regulation of autophagy is expected to be a potential target for gastric mucosal protection [ 97 ].…”

High-Salt Diet Exacerbates H. pylori Infection and Increases Gastric Cancer Risks

“…On the other hand, vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA) adds to ROS production by activating nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) through Ca2+ influx [ 14 ]. VacA inhibits autophagy in gastric epithelial cells while creating an environment prompting cancer pathogenesis [ 79 , 80 ] ( Table 1 ). Lastly, another virulence factor known as γ-glutamyltransferase in the bacteria releases many radical ions, further damaging gastric epithelial cells [ 81 ].…”

Exploring the mechanism of Radix pseudostellariae in the treatment of chronic gastritis based on network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques

“…The main side effects of H2 receptor antagonists are nausea, vomiting, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, and increased heart rate 12 . Almagate Suspension as a Gastric Mucosal Protectant is facing non-negligible side effects, including liver in ammation, nephritis, decreased acidity, impotence, osteoporotic fractures, and hyperglycaemia 13 . Commonly used antimicrobial drugs include amoxicillin and clarithromycin.…”