What is the mechanism by which NSAIDs cause gastritis?
- NSAIDs inhibit prostaglandin synthesis.
- Prostaglandin E stimulates gastric mucus production and helps maintain the protective mucin glycoprotein-bicarbonate layer
- Without this layer, gastric mucosa is exposed to the deleterious effects of gastric acid as well as to the proteolytic effects of chief cell-produced pepsin
- This can result in gastritis or peptic ulcers.