[Gastroprotective role of glucocorticoid hormones during action of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs].

The ulcerogenic gastrointestinal side-effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the more serious complications in patients taking these drugs. It is known that prostaglandin (PG) deficiency plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of NSAID-induced gastric injury. The results presented in the article suggest that NSAIDs at ulcerogenic doses induce an increase in glucocorticoid production, which in turn helps the gastric mucosa to resist the harmful action of NSAID treatment. The gastroprotective action of glucocorticoids during NSAID treatment may be provided by their maintenance of glucose homeostasis, gastric blood flow and mucus secretion and their attenuation of enhanced gastric motility and microvascular permeability. We conclude that glucocorticoids produced in response to NSAIDs are natural defensive factors in maintaining the gastric mucosa integrity during PG deficiency caused by NSAIDs.