Abstract

ROLE OF OXIDATIVE STRESS IN PEPTIC ULCER, GASTRITIS AND ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Jino P. Thomas*, Preethu P. John, Neethi Shaju and Dr. Santhosh M. Mathews

ABSTRACT

Reactive oxygen species are oxidant molecules that are capable of causing damage to biomolecules, leading to cell and tissue injury. Excess production of free radicals in cells lead to oxidative stress. A number of transcription factors can be activated by oxidative stress, which results in the differential expression of several genes linked to inflammatory pathways. The inflammation triggered by oxidative stress is a cause of various inflammation-based GI tract illnesses, including peptic ulcers, gastritis, and ulcerative colitis. The bacteria Helicobacter pylori, in particular, has a significant impact on eliciting and confronting oxidative stress in the stomach. In ulcerative colitis, neutrophil accumulation within epithelial crypts and in the intestinal mucosa directly correlates with clinical disease activity and epithelial injury.

Keywords: Oxidative Stress, Free Radicals, Peptic Ulcer, Gastritis, Ulcerative Colitis